Best Finnish Music
The Finnish symphonic metal band's sophomore album comes with four pieces that didn't appear on the original issue: The previous Japanese-only track 'Nightquest', an alt version of 'Sleeping Sun', 'Swanheart' and 'The Pharaoh Sails to Orion'.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Nightwish is ALWAYS SUPERB."
"Thanks, great album my only disappointment is the cover had been poorly handled as it has a bend in it."
"When I saw Yes in concert last, they eschewed their popular, well-known numbers for a lot of back-catalog lengthy solo prog rock. (I also don't care for fully half of Led Zeppelin's music for the same reason, so you can see my sophistication here.). Bottom line, if you like Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but wish they did something other than Christmas music (aside from Beethoven's), then Nightwish is the next best thing."
"The most amazing music album, of all time."
"My 16 yr old son got me listening to Nightwish...I was not looking forward to it at first you know how kids are nowadays."
"beyond all i can imagine.i am interested in power meatal for a long time!the most beautiful album!so perfect!the song"stargazers" is absolutly my favourite song!"
"Great album to get if you're interested in listening to classic Nightwish, this is the album that defined their older style."
"The eclectic combination of genres from ballad, movie, pop, rock, metal, and even opera is masterful far surpassing the simplistic music of top 100 groups heard on radio today."
The package includes an extensive booklet with new sleeve notes, photos and details about the band.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Century Child is the fourth album by symphonic metal masters Nightwish released in 2002."
"Also, it's kinda cool that the CD for the UK Bonus Tracks edition features digital reprints of the band's signatures."
"Century Child showcases Nightwish at some of their heaviest moments; Slaying The Dreamer rocks hard."
"I found tarja's vocals wonderful on century child full of power,emotion and beauty at the same time."
"Although, as much as I love Nightwish, this is my least favorite album from them. Songs: "Bless The Child"- Great opener, but I feel it's kind of bland. Although, I love the lyrics to this song, I like the instruments tied along to it... but something still feels flat. "End of All Hope"- I really get energized with this song, honestly. "Slaying the Dreamer"- I find this song interesting. Everything's great once again, but like "Bless the Child," I feel something is missing, and I'm not quite sure what. "Ocean Soul"- Lyrically, this is amazing. I find this cover really good, and I like Tarja and Marco's vocals on it. Beauty of the Beast- A great closer for the album. The first part, "Long Lost Love" I found okay, but then getting into "One More Night To Live" the song is amazing from then out. I find something missing in "Long Lost Love" but after that, this song is amazing. Bonus Tracks: Lagoon- Ehhh, I don't really care for it. Nothing really special in this song, I see why it's a bonus track and not on the album."
"This is wonderful, powerful music."
"Century Child and Once are at the top of Nightwish's best albums to date."
Firmly rooted in their trademark symphonic sounds featuring elaborate keyboard and guitar parts blended seamlessly with intricate string and choir sections, Olzon's vocals have more pop sensibility as they are far less operatic than those of her predecessor. But mid-album tracks such as "Sahara," "For the Heart I Once Had," and the limpid closer, "Meadows of Heaven," retread familiar ground that reminds us of epic metal's more disappointing tendencies--faux pop, bombastic bombast, anemic anthems, and a penchant for the maudlin.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm turned off by the songs ripping on Tarja and her husband though."
"Awesome CD and Anette singing you can't go wrong."
"I heard this album, and I'll say that I really like it, even though this one is more of a pop rock album. As Nightwish has said, it sounds like they went to a lot of extremes. The lyrics in the light pop songs are pretty basic, but at the same time, thanks to the arrangement and orchestration, sound amazing."
"I was so impressed with this disc that I went back and bought their previous disc Imaginaerum and highly recommend that disc as well!!!"
"I would be a liar if I didn't admit that I was a bit wary of Nightwish's new frontwoman Anette Olzon, much less upset with the band for the acrimonious dismissal of their former lead singer Tarja Turunen. Whatever suspicions were put to rest when I hear samples of the band's new material with Anette a few months ago on the internet. I finally received my copy of the band's long awaited DARK PASSION PLAY. Anette's vocals has that same polished quality I hear in the lead singers from Echoes of Eternity, Within Temptation, and a smidgeon of Leave's Eyes. The music is as aggressive as ever without losing forsaking the beautiful melodies that made me fall in love with Nightwish. The only song on this cds that left me unimpressed is "Master Passion Greed" and "Seven Days to the Wolves"."
"This is an album I will be listening to 20 years from now (assuming I make it that long). Not bad, but it just doesn't grab my attention at all like the first few listens of this album did. And just because it has maybe even changed my life in the smallest of ways (ie.. there are still talented people making great music) doesn't mean I will promise the same for you."
"Best Nightwish album hands down."
Best Swedish Music
ABBA GOLD (JEWEL BOX).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"However, my memory has softened and I need to hear ABBA and the BeeGees, and Donna Summer and Karla Bonoff once in a while."
"Was deliberating on getting one of the Mamma Mia soundtracks, and then figured it would be better to actually purchase this greatest hits album which contained all of those songs and more."
"Great memories from my teenage years listening to this music."
"I got this in preparation for seeing Mama Mia!"
"A great album with all of Abba's hits."
"This is the perfect round up of all your favorite abba songs!"
"Friends gave me an old CD I could not get to transfer to my Kindle, so I purchased this so I could enjoy this delightful collection on-the-go."
"Abba Gold - Their Greatest Hits all on Lp Album."
Best Norwegian Music
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm not a big fan of the other Einherjer's albums, but in my search for music that instantly makes me think of the viking era I came across this EP, and this really has a viking aura over it."
"Don't buy from some metal head who knows a lot, buy from a high volume "this is garbage I want to get rid of it" type of person."