Does anyone remember Carmel? She didn't make much of a splash in NA - was more of a UK thing. I bought this mostly on the strength of More More More, which I originally bought as a 45. The rest of the album has some pretty standout tracks and an off-kilter approach. I think they went a bit more safe after this, which is a pity.

I took my dad to see them when they came to Toronto in the early 90's. They played at the Phoenix and we couldn't see the stage too well, so we sat on the backs of chairs with our feet on the seats. At one point in the show, dad's chairback gave out and sent him crashing to the floor. That's all I remember of the concert. He didn't get hurt, just a little shook up. - Apr 8, 2007

A mini house opera. - Apr 17, 2007

This is not a Sonic Youth CD per se. Instead, it is a compilation of avant garde composition - performed by SY. However, if you like SY's more chaotic side, you'll probably like this. Includes swinging microphones and a screaming child! - Jan 30, 2007

I'm not a huge classical fan, but this collection of piano pieces is really beautiful. Horowitz's playing is straightforward and without affectation (to me, at least). The knowledge that this is his last recording also adds a sombre edge to this CD. - Apr 12, 2007

A good compilation with the "hits". Taken away from the films, it's great to hear the crazy sounds that EM incorporates into his film music. I especially like the way he uses guitars. As intended, this makes really good background music. - Mar 16, 2007

A documentary recording from the disobey festival in 1994. I bought it for the John Oswald track, which is not a standout. It's not an easy listen - it includes noise mavens like Phil Niblock, Casper Brötzmann and Keiji Haino. Also, I think both CDs are presented as just on track, so you have to feel the pain all the way through and not just skip to the nice parts. Were it not for the Oswald track, this would have been sold a long time ago. - Apr 18, 2007

A variety of song styles from recitals that shows off Robeson's incredible range and the emotional impact of his singing. This isn't Belafonte at Carnegie Hall - Robeson is a sombre guy. The sound quality is incredible, it's hard to believe that these were originally 78s. - Apr 17, 2007

An unexpected freak-out from elevator music purveyors. The inclusion of naughty sounding tracks from their Kama Sutra album makes this a soundtrack to sex in space. - Mar 24, 2007

The KLF saga continues. Or repeats, I guess. My copy was purchased in Israel by somebody else before I bought it for a dollar. - Jan 16, 2007

Sort of a cheat because I think ABC are an album band, but I have those on vinyl. - Feb 8, 2007

The guy who runs that cool indie label and produced all those cool dub records makes his own record. It isn't cool. - Jan 30, 2007

Freaky roots dub. I think that all AHC albums are pretty interchangeable. And AHC are always good. - Feb 8, 2007

The Americanest French band ever. It's like Norman Rockwell playing a synth. - Feb 8, 2007

Out of all the CDs claiming to be the best Al Green CD, I went with this one. It sticks mostly to the known goods but includes extended versions of some songs and some rarer stuff. - Feb 8, 2007

I like her delivery - she's sort of a female The Streets, but more musical sounding - and the music is cheery and poppy. However, her attitude kind of gets in the way. She's sort of a bitch and the song lyrics are pretty well all negative. By the time the CD's over, it gets to be a bit of a drag. So, if you maybe half pay attention to what she's singing, this is a great record. - Apr 16, 2007

Not what I thought they'd sound like. They're mellow and smart, but I was expecting something more like Stephen Merritt, who's really smart. These guys are just okay. - Mar 24, 2007

John Anderson's singing is so effortless, he makes Perry Como sound like that screamo guy from Alexisonfire. I think John may actually sleep while he's singing. - Apr 10, 2007

He has such a goofy voice - it's just perfect for country music. When I'm sick, I can do a really good impersonation of him. - Mar 24, 2007

You'd think that the songs would feature Andy on lead vocals with his sisters singing backup. Not so - everybody gets to sing solo here and there and when they sing in harmony, they create a haunting sound. One of the sisters is Salome Bey. - Feb 8, 2007

I never listen to this. - Jan 16, 2007

Her voice is okay, just not really standout. I guess the sex kitten part of her act was pretty important to her success. I've kept it for its camp value. - Mar 24, 2007

A bossa nova master. I love Surfboard. - Feb 8, 2007

Pretty ping-y stuff. Refreshing in that it's actually ambient. But is it really from 85-92? I can't trust Richard James. - Feb 8, 2007

Bought because I was told it was good. It is, but I'm not sure I really like it. time will tell. - Feb 8, 2007

Like all of the Compact Jazz compilations, if you're interested in Satchmo, start here. It may be the only Louis Armstrong album you ever need. - Mar 24, 2007

An interesting experiment but, sadly, I think he was asked to tone it down a little by the Disney people. This is a pretty lukewarm album - safe for the suburbs. I have an older version of this - the new packaging is a big improvement on the earlier release, which was an ugly pink and purple thing. - Mar 24, 2007

Brilliant smart stuff. - Feb 8, 2007

Drowsy lounge music. This is probably better than a lot of artists who got better press during the lounge craze (Esquivel, Martin Denny) because it isn't so much about gimmicks. - Feb 8, 2007

Astrid has an innocent sound that doesn't feel like an act or make her sound like a child. This comes through when she sings. She's so wonderful. - Feb 8, 2007

This thing is neat. The tracks are provided twice - once with narration and once without. The good thing is that the two "albums" have a very different feel. The bad part of this CD is the liner notes, which is an incoherent, self congratulatory ramble by the the man who "discovered" this music. What a dick. - Feb 8, 2007

My favourite Autechre. Meaty, industrial and wacked out. - Feb 8, 2007

I like this one. It sounds like Autechre should, but it isn't a rehash of the previous albums. - Apr 19, 2007

Not as good as Tri Repetae, but better than Confield (which is pretty much a given). - Feb 8, 2007

The unfriendly Autechre album. It makes for interesting background sounds when you work on your computer, but don't expect your kid sister to dance to it. - Jan 16, 2007

A great sample collage with a dirty Studio 54 feel. What happened to these guys? One album and they disappear. - Feb 8, 2007

One of the most exciting things from my youth. I don't play it anymore, but get the occasional thrill whenever I hear tracks from it being played. Planet Claire is my favourite track. - Mar 24, 2007

My first Burt CD. After I moved out of my parents' house, I started buying CDs to replace the records that I listened to when I was at home. This is probably one of the first. It's probably the only Burt CD that the average listener could want - it has all the standards. People used to Dionne Warwick should probably steer clear - he's not a professional pop singer. - Mar 30, 2007

All the Burt you could ever want. Buy the 4 disc version. Includes some definitive versions and some interesting alternatives. And the liner notes are very well done. On the downside, does not have all of the Dionne Warwick tracks - you have to buy a Dionne Warwick CD for that and Rhino has a very good one. - Feb 20, 2007

Good junk. Smartly stops off just as the fun ended and they became a product. - Feb 8, 2007

I think it's best when Barry keeps the narrtion to a minimum. I like this album and the EPs -- I've given up buying the subsequent CDs because I always end up selling them. - Feb 8, 2007

I think I like Barry Adamson's EPs more than the albums. This one has a great ska version of the James Bond theme. It's been done before, but not as well. - Mar 24, 2007

Barry Adamson and James Bond - a perfect combination. Bombasto is also excellent. Once again, this single beats most of his albums for me. - Mar 24, 2007

Noisy stuff, not terribly representative of BA. - Feb 8, 2007

The Thunderbirds music kicked ass, which this Cd shows. I love this kind of geeky stuff. Ample liner notes and a good story behind the project. - Feb 8, 2007

These guys are smart and it shows in their music. You would think they had no chance at charting. I really should just sell this and get the singles collection. - Feb 8, 2007

You would think that putting Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman on stage together would probably result in hair-pulling and name-calling. Instead, you can tell that they're having a great time on this recording. There's no competition, just a lot of great interaction between the two. The best track is a very fun He Scandalized My Name, with the audience acting as backing chorus. - Apr 16, 2007

So sad and pretty. - Feb 8, 2007

All the Beach Boys albums from this period have some incredibly great stuff. The two-fer option is an excellent idea. - Feb 8, 2007

Good but not excellent. I think of this more as an accompaniment to Pet Sounds and Smiley Smile. - Feb 8, 2007

The liner notes alone are worth the purchase - contains a satisfying essay about the history of the Smile album and Brian's eventual collapse. The CD serves as a read-a-long book, letting you listen as Brian dissolves. All of the Capitol Beach Boys two-fers are worthwhile, but this is the best one. - Jan 30, 2007

I couldn't believe when this flopped. I bought the triple gatefold sleeve LP and played it to death. Now, widely regarded as a seminal work. - Feb 8, 2007

The album that redefined the band. I loved Paul's Boutique, but it put a lot of people off. This is one of the great albums of the 90's. Sadly it's also their last good album - the later ones had a lot of filler and less coherence. - Apr 4, 2007

A fun little hardcore trifle. Bored rich kids pretending they're still poor. And pretending they're still kids. - Apr 17, 2007

A good compilation that sticks to the Beastie's sense of fun and warts and all philosophy. Hard Rock is not included because AC/DC would let them. Bums. - Feb 8, 2007