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amarok23
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- Review count10
- Helpfulness votes1
- First reviewMarch 21, 2014
- Last reviewNovember 24, 2017
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.1
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- Review comment count0
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- First answerNovember 19, 2017
- Last answerNovember 19, 2017
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amarok23's Reviews
![Pinewood Smile [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6036/6036037_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
3
Solid, but not particularly innovative
on November 24, 2017
Posted by: amarok23
from Cape Cod, MA
Verified Purchase:Yes
Actually 3.5 stars!
The Darkness are a fun band, and they have found their stride again after some recent weaker albums (their first two are classic). But you have to be kind of in the mood for fun, tongue in cheek type music. I find that as I'm aging into my later 30's I don't feel that mood quite as much - but that's not the bands fault!
The Darkness are an acquired taste - if you like classic heavy metal, if you have a sense of humor, if you liked Def Leppard and Spinal Tap, or 80's hair metal generally, I guarantee you'll love this. Or if you own any compilations of 'heavy metal power ballads'.
The Darkness have always been more of a singles band to me, and once again these are very strong. So while I definitely recommend the band, and this album, you might cherry pick with downloads and not miss that much.
My Best Buy number: 3302983866
My Best Buy number: 3302983866
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Fitz and the Tantrums [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5227/5227711_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Stellar - a solid follow-up
on October 13, 2017
Posted by: amarok23
from Cape Cod, MA
Verified Purchase:Yes
If you like their earlier albums you will definitely like this one. It's still got the fun, inventive vibe. I also strongly remember recommend the deluxe version track (only available digitally) 'Fool'. The other two deluxe edition tracks are just live versions, so they're not essential. A perfect album to drive with listening to. I continue to be happy with their direction. Nothing earth shattering, just pure fun.
My Best Buy number: 3302983866
My Best Buy number: 3302983866
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Family of the Year [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4325/4325101_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Charming and Melodic Folk-Rock
on October 1, 2016
Posted by: amarok23
from Cape Cod, MA
Verified Purchase:Yes
The formerly more folk group takes things on a more melodic and harder edge. The lyrics continue to be excellent and insightful with themes of nature and relationships.
Strongest tracks include 7,8 and 9; 'blue jean girl', 'dead poets' and 'the dance'. Reminds me of other great folk groups like "The Unthanks" and Family of the Year remains a group with great promise. Their voices and rich harmonies are beautiful and uplifting. Their earlier albums, especially 'Loma Vista' are also well worth checking out.
They are successfully taking the folk modality to newer, more muscular, more 'pop' places. If you're a fan of thoughtful, artful music with a slightly softer, lighter edge, I highly recommend this album.
My Best Buy number: 3302983866
My Best Buy number: 3302983866
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Super [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5034/5034801_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Solid but Unspectacular w/Great Single
on August 27, 2016
Posted by: amarok23
from Cape Cod, MA
Verified Purchase:Yes
I really love the single 'Pop Kids' and I've been a fan of the Pet Shop Boys since the 2000's - a bit too young to catch on to them in their heyday of the 90's. Still, I think they're some of the best 'dance-pop' groups around. Why I'm somewhat disappointed with this album is that none of the other tracks quite live up to the quality of the single.
I'm reminded of a review of an Oasis live album from about 2001 ("Familiar To Millions") where a reviewer wrote something to the effect of " It's 'fun' - undeniably - but it's just fun - and there was a time they (Oasis, or in our case the PSB) gave 'great fun' ".
I think that sums up my perspective. Not disappointed so much as underwhelmed. But then perhaps I am judging them to too high of a standard - given that for any group, to still be relevant in your 3rd decade as artists is still quite a go. And I feel PSB held up better with age than many groups, including Oasis did, so I guess it's all relative. But probably if you just got the aforementioned single you'd have gotten the best.
My Best Buy number: 3302983866
My Best Buy number: 3302983866
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5204/5204032_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Slightly Disappointed - new album to be better
on March 20, 2015
Posted by: amarok23
from Cape Cod, MA
Verified Purchase:Yes
She's got a quirky attitude and a good voice, but maybe a bit too 'indie' for me - at times trying a bit too hard to be 'cool'.
I've been streaming her new album "Sometimes I Sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Sit" - which will be released on March 24th, 2015, and honestly I think it's a lot better - it's more mature and more focused.
Not that these EPs are bad - just know they're an acquired taste. I may just be something of an old foggy or a folk purist, but some of the song topics were a little risque for me.
But still, well worth a listen - a nice change of pace from heavier, more intense stuff.
And again, check out her new album if interested.
My Best Buy number: 2223178788
My Best Buy number: 2223178788
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
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![L' Enfant Sauvage [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5594/5594237_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
3
Energetic and Visceral but sometimes Overwhelming
on December 5, 2014
Posted by: amarok23
from Cape Cod, MA
Verified Purchase:Yes
This was a bit of an impulse buy - Roadrunner is often a good label (Nickelback, Theory of a Deadman, etc) and I had heard a number of good things about Gojira - but while it was energetic and visceral (the music itself is epic and powerful) I was put off by the vocals. The melodic growls, while certainly not as distracting as most heavy metal vocal pyrotechnics got to me after a while. I kind of wished there we no lyrics on some tracks, because the vocals were distracting and occasionally overwhelming. I'm going to be completely honest, a week or two after this purchase I sold it back at a record store.
I want to add the important caveat that my taste has kind of mellowed over the years - at one time (my teens) I probably would have loved this Gojira album. AND a more important note - which is that Best Buy does an excellent job of labeling their music by genre/category. For instance Gojira was labelled 'Hard Rock' and I have learned that while I love many 'Rock' albums, I'm no longer quite up to 'Hard Rock'. I've really come to appreciate this system as Best Buy has about the best, clearest one around. I will take it into account in my future purchases.
My Best Buy number: 3318495209
My Best Buy number: 3318495209
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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-3points
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![Aware [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6322/6322104_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Is 'Folk-Emo' a new genre? If so, this is it
on August 22, 2014
Posted by: amarok23
from Cape Cod, MA
Verified Purchase:Yes
I have to say that while I like this album, I'm a bit ambivalent. It was an impulse purchase and while I don't regret it, I think the album could have been more balanced by having more variety to offer.
I'm reminded of the Spinal Tap line 'on this am we Turn it up to 11' because the emotion here is at a constant max - and could have used some breaks in intensity.
I call it 'Folk-emo' you could also say 'punk acoustic'. Front Porch Step sounds like a solo album because the lyrics are so personal and immediate. In fact, the lyrics are the best aspect of the album.
Here I have to admit my bias - I'm in my early 30's and while once 'Fall Out Boy' or 'My Chemical Romance' might have done it for me, I'm worn out on loud, aggressive music... so here is a way for me to continue to enjoy that punk/emo spirit but with sonics I can actually appreciate.
I wouldn't call 'Aware' truly emo because it's musical content really doesn't qualify, but clearly it is in the hyper-emotional 'spirit' of emo. Actually, in its better moments this album reminds me of 'Dashboard Confessional' where there is a genuine spirit of self-discovery/self-growth thru self-criticism.
Stand out tracks are 5 and 10, 'If I Tremble' and 'Island of Misfit Boys' and as individual moments any of the albums songs would be powerful - but listen to them all at once and you might be overwhelmed by their uniformity, their constant '11 ness'.
But overall 'Aware' brought back some good memories, has pleasing sonics and often sharp, incisive lyrics.
I would recommend sampling some of the tracks first though - this may not be everyone's cup of tea.
My Best Buy number: 3318495209
My Best Buy number: 3318495209
What's great about it: Highly emotional tone with piercing, self-eviscerating lyrics, none of the screaming, posing, loud 'in your face' sonics
What's not so great: a bit repetative, could use more variety, better in brief listening sessions, the whole album is emotionally-taxing
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Atlas [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4038/4038039_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
More rocking and stronger than last album 'Days'
on May 23, 2014
Posted by: amarok23
from Cape Cod, MA
Verified Purchase:Yes
Real Estate's third album is a winner. Much improved from their last album 'Days' (2011). 'Atlas' really flows well, with more melody and guitars larger in the mix. Though there is some sameness to the tracks, I enjoyed the laid back, hazy feel - perfect music for summer.
To be honest after being somewhat disappointed by 'Days' I wasn't certain I would purchase 'Atlas' - but I'm glad I did - it is a more cohesive and powerful work - standout tracks include 'Talking Backwards', 'Crime' and 'Navigator'; that said the album should really be taken as a whole - the focus isn't really on particular songs, but on creating a warm, comfortable, nostalgic feel.
While I wouldn't recommend this for everyone, I would to those who tend to enjoy gentler indie (rock) on the Pavement/ Stephen Malkmus spectrum.
I held back one star because I think Real Estate is capable of even more, and though the lyrics and feel are great - there is a bit of repetition...
If you enjoy taking albums as a whole, it's quite effective - although if you're looking for a track that grabs you immediately or anthem, or standout song, really not that much stands out from the mix. If you're interested in lyrical depth and a relaxing summer chill mix - 'Atlas' is perfect.
While what is there is stellar, I'm still left wanting just 'that little bit more' on some listens. I can't put my finger on it - this is a very strong album - and indie rock is a genre I enjoy... all that might come with repeated listens or if your more into to this genre, but I wouldn't stay it's a true 'can't miss' stand-out.
That being said it's worth the investment of time and money - I don't think you'll regret buying it as long as you go in accepting it's on the quieter/more reflective end of the spectrum.
My Best Buy number: 2223178788
My Best Buy number: 2223178788
What's great about it: more melodic, guitar much more promienent
What's not so great: sometimes somgs are slightly too similar
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Essential Tremors [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/1714/1714399_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Great groove - let down by lyrics
on March 21, 2014
Posted by: amarok23
from Cape Cod, MA
Verified Purchase:Yes
This album reminded me of some of The Black Keys work -
I think I would have given Essential Tremors 5 stars,
BUT the lyrics let me down a bit -
they didn't really connect with me - maybe that's me and they will with you,
but they left me wanting just a bit more.
Still, recommended overall -
Great CD for driving by the way! Takes your mind off the tedium.
I think I would have given Essential Tremors 5 stars,
BUT the lyrics let me down a bit -
they didn't really connect with me - maybe that's me and they will with you,
but they left me wanting just a bit more.
Still, recommended overall -
Great CD for driving by the way! Takes your mind off the tedium.
My Best Buy number: 2223178788
My Best Buy number: 2223178788
What's great about it: the blues feel
What's not so great: some of the themes are repetative/ not interesting to me
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Walking Papers [Best Buy Exclusive] [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/1394/1394205_sa.jpg)
Posted by: amarok23
from Cape Cod, MA
Verified Purchase:Yes
Recalls the best of 90's grunge - but without the drudge -
Just enough 80's RAWK to make it cool - but not to the point of being corny. I recommend it highly -
Any album that guest a Pearl Jam member is OK in my book.
Just enough 80's RAWK to make it cool - but not to the point of being corny. I recommend it highly -
Any album that guest a Pearl Jam member is OK in my book.
My Best Buy number: 2223178788
My Best Buy number: 2223178788
What's great about it: Guitar playing
What's not so great: nothing - NOTE: BBuy Version has 4 extra tracks
I would recommend this to a friend!
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