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Parkas4Kids
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- Review count83
- Helpfulness votes48
- First reviewMarch 2, 2010
- Last reviewFebruary 11, 2017
- Featured reviews1
- Average rating4.1
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![This Machine [LP] - VINYL](https://bestbuy.ugc.bazaarvoice.com/profiles/3545w/static/noimage70.gif)
Customer Rating
4
Without a Doubt the Worst Dandy Warhols Album Ever
on January 25, 2015
Posted by: Parkas4Kids
from Dundalk, MD
With that said, I'd like to open this review with the following statement: I've pretty much been a die-hard Dandy Warhols fan since 2003 when they released "Welcome to the Monkey House." I have all their albums and a good chunk of their singles. To say they're one of my all-time favorite bands would not be an understatement; these guys rock, and they rock pretty freakin' hard. In my opinion, they're the Rolling Stones/Doors/Pink Floyd (Syd Barrett-era, anyway) of the 21st Century, all rolled up with a '90s attitude!
The reason I titled this review the way I did is because that's how I feel about this record. I love all their previous albums--especially "Earth to the Dandy Warhols"--but this record was lacking that fuzzed-out, spacy, psychedelic '60s pop feel for which the band's so well known. Read as many reviews of this album as you'd like, and they'll all pretty much say the same thing: this record is far more stripped-down than any of their previous albums. Quite true, and it's a palpable difference. Maybe it's because each individual member of the band has his/her own side band, each of which plays a rather different style of music than that of the Dandys. Maybe it's because Courtney Taylor-Taylor, the consummate rock star, has mellowed out a bit with age. Maybe it's something else altogether, I don't know. Whatever it is, the band definitely sounds different on this record.
Long-time fans will still enjoy the record, though. Some of the stand-out tracks for me are "Enjoy Yourself," "Alternative Power to the People," "Rest Your Head," and "I Am Free." These feel the most like "classic" Dandys tracks while the rest feels like the band is looking for a new sound or is simply trying out something a little different. Regardless, this is still a strong album and can hold more than a candle against the vast majority of what's coming out elsewhere in the music world. And don't dismiss "This Machine" if you didn't like it the first time; it's one of those albums that grows on you after a few listens.
My Best Buy number: 0953637391
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Attack & Release [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8745/8745334_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Parkas4Kids
from Dundalk, MD
For years I've heard the same argument: The Black Keys are better than The White Stripes. Having seen the 'Stripes in concert as well as owning all their albums, I'm inclined to argue the above statement is false, but that's just me. Then I listened to "Attack and Release" and found that I was right after all.
Before I continue, no, I have not seen the 'Keys play live, and this is the first of their albums I've heard. With that said, this is the perfect album to listen to if you want to immediately lose interest in this band. It sounds muddy and over-produced and doesn't do either of these musicians justice. To be perfectly honest, I think it's an insult. Dan and Patrick are turned way down and all of Danger Mouse's little added bits are pushed to the forefront. This band is a two-piece, and it should sound like a two-piece unless otherwise noted.
Aside from the poor production of this album, I found the songwriting to be rather boring and uninspired. These guys have a reputation for putting on one heck of a rock & roll show, but this album barely has any rock & roll songs on it. Instead, we're given a bunch of blues-influenced pop tunes. If you want to listen to a really good 'Keys album, pick up a copy of "Brothers." Avoid this garbage at all costs.
My Best Buy number: 0953637391
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra [DVD] [2009]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9433/9433277_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Parkas4Kids
from Dundalk, MD
When previews first started airing for this movie, I immediately did not want to see it. I'd already seen the first Transformers movie and rather enjoyed it, but there was something about the G.I. Joe movie that just didn't sit right with me. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that a lot of the action scenes looked as if they'd been copied from Transformers, or perhaps it had something to do with all the horribly cheesy acting that that reeked like month-old limburger. Either way, against my better judgement, I watched the film on Netflix, and I really wish I hadn't.
If you were like me and absolutely loved the old G.I. Joe cartoon when you were a kid, do me a favor and avoid watching this movie at all costs. Even if you can watch it for free, the cost is too high, and there's no way to get that time back. It's hard to pinpoint what's so awful about this movie because...well, pretty much EVERYTHING about this movie is awful. The plot, the acting, the action, the dialogue, it's all terrible.
My Best Buy number: 0953637391
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![American Slang [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9948/9948602_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
The Definitive Gaslight Anthem Sound
on January 25, 2015
Posted by: Parkas4Kids
from Dundalk, MD
Having listened to this band's output in chronological order--"Sink or Swim" followed by "The '59 Sound" followed by "American Slang"--I finally feel like I've heard the true heart and soul of the Gaslight Anthem. It's been a slow progression from the Springsteen/Social D clones that appeared on "Sink or Swim," and while the journey, at least for me, has been less than enjoyable, it feels good to see this band emerge with an album that both feels and sounds distinctly theirs. Sure, there are a few hints of their Springsteen-influenced songwriting, most noticeably on "The Diamond Church Street Choir" and "Old Haunts," but the rest of the album takes on a life of its own.
Without a doubt, the stand-out track on this record is "The Spirit of Jazz." This is the first Gaslight Anthem song I ever heard, and it's my absolute favorite. If they could write and play all their songs with this much energy...wow, that would be an album truly worth hearing. Fortunately, there are other songs with enough strength to support the oh, so obvious lead single: "Boxer," "Stay Lucky," and the album's title track.
The album ends on a quiet note with the nostalgiac, almost sad "We Did It When We Were Young," which comes across as a statement of growth for this young band from Jersey and really helps to round out the record. It helps to give shape to the overall statement of growth and reflection heard on "American Slang" and is a big leap forward for the band. I only hope their next album is at least as good as this.
My Best Buy number: 0953637391
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The '59 Sound [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8941/8941568_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Parkas4Kids
from Dundalk, MD
If you've ever wondered if a band could take Bruce Springsteen's throwaway songs, rest assured the answer is, "Yes." The band's name? The Gaslight Anthem.
I'll be brief, because the editorial review pretty much says all you need to know about this album and this band: "Their Side One Dummy debut reconciles their love of classic rock and soul icons Bruce Springsteen, Otis Redding, and Tom Petty with their NJ punk roots to create a unique musical amalgam." After reviewing the band's debut album, "Sink or Swim," I grit my teeth and gave these guys a second chance. Much to my surprise, they didn't let me down, though they also didn't impress me all that much.
Instead of sounding like they're trying to rip off The Boss and Social D's Mike Ness, they sound much more like they're paying homage to their idols. For the most part, anyway. On tracks like "Old White Lincoln" and "Meet Me by the River's Edge"--among a few others--Springsteen's passions for telling tales about large bodies of water and classic cars come rushing back. Maybe it's a Jersey thing, I don't know....
All in all, this is a decent record, though not one I'd find myself wanting to listen to all too often. A marked improvement for the band, without a doubt.
My Best Buy number: 0953637391
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![It's Great to Be Alive [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9203/9203168_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
2
Not One of Side One Dummy's Best
on January 25, 2015
Posted by: Parkas4Kids
from Dundalk, MD
Side One Dummy used to be among my favorite indie labels. They signed Flogging Molly, Gogol Bordello, and Bedouin Soundclash, who are all excellent bands. They're also bands that have moved on to bigger and better things thanks to the work they did with Side One Dummy. So, of course, I took a chance with another of S.O.D.'s signed bands, Fake Problems, 'cause they can't be *that* bad, can they?
...They can. This is without a doubt one of the worst albums I've listened to in a long time. I'd rather listen to Bob Dylan try to sing for Journey before I listen to this album a second time. In fact, listening to this album gives me a much greater appreciation for Mr. Dylan's "singing" voice, because Fake Problems's vocalist is among the worst singers out there. On the plus side, the rest of the band plays well, at least when they're not trying to rip on the aforementioned Gogol Bordello's world music-inspired sound.
The majority of this album is pure garbage, but the real gem is in the middle-to-latter portion of the record. Once the band ditches their poor attempt to sound like a band of gypsies, the songwriting and instrumentalization really stand out. The stand-out tracks for me were "Diamond Rings," "Tabernacle Song," "Alligator Assassinator," and "There Are Times." Now, if only the entire album could have been crafted the same way....
My Best Buy number: 0953637391
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![Sigh No More [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9728/9728756_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Reinventing the Reinvented Wheel
on January 25, 2015
Posted by: Parkas4Kids
from Dundalk, MD
It seems that the newest flavor of rock & roll in the 21st century bears a strong resemblance to the origins of popular music itself: folk. Whether it be with pianos, organs, banjos, or acoustic guitars, the DIY attitude of the indie musician has truly infected the seemingly-unkillable beast otherwise known as Mainstream Rock. Just take a look at the number of popular artists touring the globe and you'll agree: retro is the new black.
Enter Mumford & Sons, the latest sensation from across the pond. They dress like train conductors and play old-timey acoustic music. But are they deserving of the hype and buzz they've generated over the last few years? Sure, they're talented; that much cannot be denied. But are they truly worthy of the praise heaped upon them by the music press? I think not.
Before you start with the angry comments, please understand: I listened to this album several times, and I did enjoy it, but it didn't sound fresh to me. In fact, it sounded a bit like a rip-off. Listen to an Avett Bros. album, and you'll hear exactly what I'm talking about. The Avett Bros. have helped to create the sound that Mumford & Sons are taking to the bank, which, to me, seems criminal. For one, the Avett Bros. write better songs. MUCH better songs. To take my point even further, the Avett Bros. play their instruments better and fully utilize their influences into something fresh and original. To quote Marcus Mumford himself: "We're just mediocre, fat English musicians. But we try hard."
And try hard they do. While underwhelmed by their debut album, I hope that the band's "try hard" work ethic will allow their music to grow beyond sounding like a cheap knowck-off of an already-established artist. Meanwhile, I'll keep my fingers crossed.
My Best Buy number: 0953637391
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Equal Rights [Legacy Edition] [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2796/2796385_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
What a "Legacy Edition" Release is Supposed to Be
on January 25, 2015
Posted by: Parkas4Kids
from Dundalk, MD
"Equal Rights" is arguably the greatest album of Peter Tosh's solo career. Ever militant in his quest for the legalization of marijuana, the end of apartheid in Africa, and equal rights for all, the songs of this album simply drip with his political fervor. If "Legalize It" was a polite reminder of the global injustices of the late '70s, "Equal Rights" was a combat boot to the side of the head.
Orignally 8 songs in length, "Equal Rights" debuted in 1977 and had a distinct message. What the recently-released Legacy Edition does is give its listeners the whole message in its entirety. From 15 songs came an album of 8, and those extra songs give an even greater shape to Tosh's vision. It doesn't take long to understand that the 8 songs from the original album release are clearly the strongest amongst the rest, but the scope given is impressive nonetheless. It's almost a shame it took 34 years to hear all these songs together on one CD.
Unfortunately, as powerful and awe-inspiring as the first disc is, the second disc falls a little flat. It begins with an alternate version of the album's classic Wailers track "Get Up, Stand Up" and meanders back and forth from dub versions to demo versions of the songs from disc 1. These are mostly throwaways until you get a little over halfway through the disc; the demo version of "Jah Man Inna Jamdung" is far better than the outtake on the previous disc. Chances are you'll spend much more time listening to the first disc and not much time at all listening to the second disc.
Not for the casual fan or the timid, this release is well worth owning for any and all Tosh fans. Definitely better than the Legacy Edition of "Legalize It" and far less repetitive.
My Best Buy number: 0953637391
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Legalize It [Legacy Edition] [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2796/2796876_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Legalize It Again...and Again and Again and Again
on January 25, 2015
Posted by: Parkas4Kids
from Dundalk, MD
With the release of "Legalize It" in 1976, Peter Tosh proved he was a force to be reckoned with in the world of reggae music. It only takes one listen of the album to realize how much he had grown up since his time with The Wailers. Though only 9 songs long, Tosh's debut solo album made an indelible mark in music that can still be felt 35 years later.
Having said that, the recently-released Legacy Edition of "Legalize It" is a little bit too much for the casual listener to handle. Spread out over 2 discs are a total of 32 songs, but none of them stray too terribly far from the original album's formula. Sure, we get demo versions of 7 of the original 9 songs, but they sound an awful lot like the album versions. Same goes for the Original Jamaican Mixes, the very first cut of the record sent out by Tosh himself. The only tracks truly worth listening to on this collection are the dub versions found at the end of disc 2. Otherwise, this collection winds up sounding a bit too redundant.
My suggestion: Find the 10-track re-release that came out in 1999. Or, if you're lucky, get the "Legalize It/Equal Rights" 2-pack. You won't be sorry.
My Best Buy number: 0953637391
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Harvest The Beast [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/1877/18772409_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Parkas4Kids
from Dundalk, MD
It's rare to find a band whose sound is so deeply influenced by other bands that it's nearly impossible to pinpoint exactly where their originates. Nashville's Bad Cop is one of these rare breeds; their sound is steeped heavily in the lyrics of Joy Division's Ian Curtis; the speed, power, and precision of the MC5; and the aesthetic of the Doors. To hear their records is one thing, but to see them live is something else altogether. They have a...presence about them, something unique and real. You don't just "listen" to Bad Cop, you "experience" Bad Cop.
Released in late 2010, Bad Cop's debut record initially sounds like a lot of other garage/indie rock bands, but there's more to it. Listen to it several times over on repeat and zero in on the lyrics, the rhythm section, how the band fuses together into a single sonic entity, and you'll see why this band is one that needs to be on your radar. And though this album leans somewhat heavily on the alternative/punk formula, there are elements of '90s grunge, psychedelic rock, southern blues, and late '70s/early '80s post-punk under the surface.
Once you've grooved on this album, be sure to pick up Bad Cop's later releases: "I Can't Slow Down EP," "Chicago Lady," and the near-perfect "The Light On (EP)."
My Best Buy number: 0953637391
I would recommend this to a friend!
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