Best Garage Punk
Of all the two-piece rock bands (Dresden Dolls, The White Stripes, The Kills, John & Jehn) out there making a royal racket, The Black Keys are by far the least affected by the last three decades of popular music, and evolution. If there is a change it's that for the first time their foot is teased off the accelerator, with "Lies", "Remember When (Side A)" and "Oceans & Streams" loosening their shoulders and playing a more chilled brand of dusty sunset southern blues, adding in keys and new layers of texture (is that really a flute on "Same Old Thing"?!).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a fantastic album from beginning to end; more so, in my opinion than their previous releases."
"It's a pretty good CD."
"We all know the black keys.."
"Was very happy to find not only was this a gatefold but this also includes full length album on CD in one sleeve."
"Great record, great sound."
"The vinyl sounds amazing."
Vinyl LP pressing.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If you own a turntable, you should own this album."
"It would definitely be going to far to say that The Black Keys missed their stride with this album, but there is something about it that is just not as catchy as their debut "The Big Come Up", or their third album, "Rubber Factory". It sounds like a bootleg of a performance in some hazy juke joint, and is testament to the ability of this pair to go beyond their usual bite-sized numbers. The album ends with "I Cry Alone" pulling the listener back to that juke joint with an ultra-minimalist number marked by spartan cat burglar guitar plucking backed up by light cymbal-tapping and the occassional drum beat."
"I absolutely love the heavy rawness thatf this blues-like Rock brings!"
"Great, bluesy, interesting music that somehow sounds both classic and innovative."
"These 11 brief tracks are definitely retro-rock!"
"Great record if your fan of the blues."
"My favorite Black Keys album, and many others come in second."
"The Keys' sound is still developing here, and it stands out best on the title track, "Hard Row," "Set You Free," "Have Love Will Travel" and "If You See Me.""
Rubber Factory is the third studio album by American rock duo The Black Keys.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Leading into the groovy "10 am automatic" there's something instantly classic going on here with the funky hip hop inflected beat and the loud riffy guitar lines he's even invoking Hendrix a lil' and other clasic bluesy rock (Creedence) as on "All hands Aganist his own" and "Stack Shot Billy". Another Favorite "Aeroplane Blues" wails and squalls with feedback soaked riffs and a tough hip hop styled beat."
"Hello World, I seen the cover and the images in the CD case and thought this should be a total dump!!! Totally wrong!"
"Pop this one in (or kick to it on your mobile device) to pass the time on commute, to rock out at home, or to drown out the repetitive, uninspired nonsense pop and rap that others try to pour from their rides."
"After an explosive debut album and a mellower sophomore effort, Akron duo The Black Keys roar back with "Rubber Factory", a passionate, catchy, masterpiece that proves these guys are for real. Having rejected a major record label and signed instead with blues authority Fat Possum, the Keys stay true to their fuzzed-out demo-tape sound, recording the album in an abandoned tire factory, with drummer Patrick Carney producing the songs on his trusty 4-track (or did they graduate to 8-track by now?). "Aeroplane Blues" and "Keep Me" are other straight-out sonic assaults that will put a crooked smile on the face of anyone with an ounce of blues running in their veins."
"I'd say the most unique classic Black Keys album."
"If you want to discover how the Black Keys developed the sound that emerged on "Brothers" and "El Camino," listen to this."
"1. if this doesnt tell you whats wrong with commercial music today."
Best Punk
Two regular weight black vinyl discs at Pallas in Stoughton paper-wrapped gatefold jacket with poster insert and shared Green Day catalog postcard.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Well I just got the double Vinyl the other day and after playing it full about 10 times already , it is PERFECT !"
"One song leads into another with out a pause in between so it flows in an awesome way."
"Great; accessible; melodic at many points, but hardens it's punk-pop-rock chops when it needs to."
"The album, the discs, and the graphics are beautiful quality and the lyric poster is just like the from their original CD."
"This looks like someone has redone this album and slapped it together in a 2 CD capable jewel case."
"Great CD and the songs are great to."
"So fitting for the current times."
"I'm rating this four stars because the jewel case on the back is crack this is my only negative or because of shipping but I think this is the best album that green day has ever made so far my dad had this album long time ago and I wanted it back CD has no cracks or scratches you will love it I highly recommend this CD by Green Day."
Best Ska Punk
The band comes up with great songs, notably the catchy MTV hit "What I Got"; spooky dub-reggae undertones, produced by the Butthole Surfers' Paul Leary, to go with the snappy horns; and surprisingly progressive lyrics that attack sexism and other social ills, especially on "Wrong Way."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I seen a few complaints that the cd does not play or that the cd skips well I'll say this I got this version and the old one and this one does not skip at all and I ordered it from the UK even if your a fan of sublime or your new to them this cd is the best they have done from start to finish nothing but perfection :)."
"When you hear vinyl and reissue, you never know what you are going to get."
"This record is such a blast!"
"This album is a really good album, which doesn't seem like much in writing but I mean that this is one of the greatest albums in history."
"Wonderfully realized punk rock with a ska/reggae backbone but ultimately this is pure punk rock."
"Memories."
"Arrived on time and exactly as described."
"Another album with amazing sound quality but awful pressing."
Best Proto Punk
The laquers were cut at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood, CA under the direct supervision of original Doors producer/engineer Bruce Botnick and Electra Records founder Jac Holzman.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have a large, powerful surround audio system with 15" woofers in my man cave and a car with a 200-watt, nine-speaker array in it. The man cave rig includes a modern turntable and cartridge and audio CD player. The reason I know about The Doors is, I was a young Navy pilot stationed in a small town in central California in the late '60s, and we had frequent parties. The Doors always seemed to be on the record player, and Light My Fire and Twentieth Century Fox and a few other songs, just stuck in my head. To play in the car and to take with me down to my kid brother's place in San Diego, I ordered this CD. The insert notes it is a remix, done with modern gear to remove the limitations and distractions of '60s mag tape and LP technology. Also, some of the original releases had edited lyrics, usually to bleep out the word "high" as a drug reference and Morrison's frequent use of the f-bomb."
"50th Anniversary Super High Material (SHM) CD - Deluxe Import version. Great packaging, 3 CD set with booklet. Neither of The Doors official Matrix release's are true to actual performance, and sound on official Matrix releases is artificial, processed, suffocated."
"I was glad I had read a previous review of a re-master that noted the speed change on "Light my Fire" as I noticed the pitch was changed and it was definitely a shade faster than the other versions I own. I realize some are looking for concert hall sound reverb and reflection, but if you liked the SACD's of Elton John, Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms" or Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" you will find much to love about these new Doors releases."
"Killer mix, as always... but his one has some Special “Stank” on it with immense clarity."
"Sounds great on 180 gram vinyl."
"Very nice package."
Best American Punk
Palm Pictures is proud to present the groundbreaking Talking Heads concert film "Stop Making Sense." The staging--and Demme's filming of it--builds toward an orgasmic release of music, rising from the bare-stage simplicity of Byrne, accompanied only by a boom box on "Psycho Killer," to the ecstatic crescendo of "Burning Down the House," by which time the Heads and additional personnel have all arrived on stage for a performance that seems channeled from heaven for the purpose of universal uplift.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have owned this on VHS and decided to get it on Blu Ray as the tape got hissie after a couple of viewings."
"This 1984 disc is the one to get, unless you're looking for the included CD in the newer one that I understand exaggerates the Blues on the original video..."
"Love it!"
"I have always enjoyed the Stop Making Sense CD, but the extra material shown in the film helps to flesh out this great bands creative juices and more than just the hits."
"I can see why they call this the best concert on film."
"This was a pretty cool concert video."
"If you like Talking Heads music, this is well worth watching."
"David Byrne's expressions and gestures add color and depth to songs I already loved."
Best Punk-Pop
Two regular weight black vinyl discs at Pallas in Stoughton paper-wrapped gatefold jacket with poster insert and shared Green Day catalog postcard.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Well I just got the double Vinyl the other day and after playing it full about 10 times already , it is PERFECT !"
"One song leads into another with out a pause in between so it flows in an awesome way."
"Great; accessible; melodic at many points, but hardens it's punk-pop-rock chops when it needs to."
"The album, the discs, and the graphics are beautiful quality and the lyric poster is just like the from their original CD."
"This looks like someone has redone this album and slapped it together in a 2 CD capable jewel case."
"Great CD and the songs are great to."
"So fitting for the current times."
"I'm rating this four stars because the jewel case on the back is crack this is my only negative or because of shipping but I think this is the best album that green day has ever made so far my dad had this album long time ago and I wanted it back CD has no cracks or scratches you will love it I highly recommend this CD by Green Day."
Best Punk Revival
Two regular weight black vinyl discs at Pallas in Stoughton paper-wrapped gatefold jacket with poster insert and shared Green Day catalog postcard.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Well I just got the double Vinyl the other day and after playing it full about 10 times already , it is PERFECT !"
"One song leads into another with out a pause in between so it flows in an awesome way."
"Great; accessible; melodic at many points, but hardens it's punk-pop-rock chops when it needs to."
"The album, the discs, and the graphics are beautiful quality and the lyric poster is just like the from their original CD."
"You have the basic rock track in "American Idiot"; on "Give Me Novocaine", you hear something reminiscent of a steel pedal which one finds in most country tracks; on "Wake Me Up When September Ends" the track builds up deliciously layer by layer - the muscial craftmanship of GD is admirable; the two medleys are also standouts with different tunes chalked up giving you a wide array of tastefully composed songs. It's rock like you've not heard before; it is melodious, it is nice to sing to without screaming your voice hoarse and blowing up your lungs attempting it; every track is interesting standing on its own."
"I'm rating this four stars because the jewel case on the back is crack this is my only negative or because of shipping but I think this is the best album that green day has ever made so far my dad had this album long time ago and I wanted it back CD has no cracks or scratches you will love it I highly recommend this CD by Green Day."
"This looks like someone has redone this album and slapped it together in a 2 CD capable jewel case."
"Great CD and the songs are great to."
Best Hardcore
Static Age is an album by the American horror punk band the Misfits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A very nice rerelease of the classic Misfits album Static Age, my vinyl copy that I recieved yesterday (about 3 weeks before it was supposed to arrive!)."
"Awesome * cd to have."
"This is a great album from start to finish."
"It is interesting to compare this album to Legacy of Brutality where Danzig re-recorded all the music because he didn't want to pay the band."
"Came a little bit broken but love this album."
"Great purchase."
"This an awesome misfits album."
"With the release of Static Age we finally get to hear the music that scared generations of parents that their children would end up destroying the world."
Best Riot Grrl
The metal ingredient tends to dominate, perhaps because it's the simplest to master, and too often the album resembles early Heart or late Joan Jett--particularly when Courtney Love opens up with her big, wailing voice.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This album rocks."
"Definitely my favorite Hole album and and ahh I feel like I will never get tired of any of the songs on it!"
"The cd was before they got all polished with celebrity skin and it was more raw. I don't think there was a week that went by through high school that this cd didn't wind up in the cd player, that and babes n toylands pain killers."
"What a fucken awesome album."
Best Straight Edge
As the de facto leaders of the Washington, D.C., hardcore scene, the band pioneered the straight-edge mentality by emphasizing impossibly fast tempos, brief songs, political lyrics, and a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle. Besides setting the precedent for several generations of punk rockers with their music and ideals, Minor Threat were simply a better band than most hardcore groups. Although some of the music on Complete Discography, like much of hardcore in general, hasn't aged particularly well -- with its cheap production, rigid song structures, and political concerns, it is very much a piece of the early '80s -- the sound remains invigorating; the band possessed a visceral energy matched by only a handful of their peers.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Growing up in Maryland, the iconic cover image became a familiar local sight for me on posters and punk rocker back patches but I regret I never explored the music behind it until now."
"This is a classic and kids getting into the truth behind the social relevance and awareness of punk music should start off with Minor Threat. If you are a kid discovering why we have alternative music today, Minor Threat is a good way to learn history on why your mom and dad walked around with mohawks, chains, and leather jackets."
"The main differences really are the cover (blue instead of red), the CD color (gray instead of red), and the CD insert photo (a live shot from a gig). A cheaper alternative to buying here: this is out of print on Amazon, but is still available on the Dischord website."
"My final review directly related to Henry Rollins 50 is about Henry Rollins' Friend Ian MacKaye's first band."
"I love this album and I play it everyday."
"Not many can match the energy and angst these two releases from Minor Threat convey. This is REAL Hardcore Punk music."
"The description mentioned possible marks on the cover art but it failed to mention the disgusting residue with hair stuck to it on the back of the cover art when you open up the case."
Best Emo
Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge - and for My Chemical Romance.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I honestly don‘t think Amazon gives a crap if you hate MCR‘s music, but they do care if the CD has scratches on it or is, in any other way, damaged."
"Any fan of My Chemical Romance who wants to hear them on a great format will enjoy this vinyl."
"This album is amazing but my ooonnly problem is that the case came with two cracks- one on the front and one in the back."
"All the songs are amazing; Helena, Cemetery, I'm Not OK. Full of angst and melody - Love It!"
"Factory sealed and came brand new and quick."
"I've been listening to this album since it came out in middle school and I don't plan to stop."
"It is in very nice condition and I love it so much!"
"I remember that I had the same problem with the Black Parade as well so it must just be all MCR discs."
Best Post Hardcore
Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge - and for My Chemical Romance.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I honestly don‘t think Amazon gives a crap if you hate MCR‘s music, but they do care if the CD has scratches on it or is, in any other way, damaged."
"Any fan of My Chemical Romance who wants to hear them on a great format will enjoy this vinyl."
"This album is amazing but my ooonnly problem is that the case came with two cracks- one on the front and one in the back."
"All the songs are amazing; Helena, Cemetery, I'm Not OK. Full of angst and melody - Love It!"
"Factory sealed and came brand new and quick."
"I've been listening to this album since it came out in middle school and I don't plan to stop."
"It is in very nice condition and I love it so much!"
"I remember that I had the same problem with the Black Parade as well so it must just be all MCR discs."