Advantages: prince at his most dazzling, accessible and enjoyable
Disadvantages: Only 9 songs...17 Days (B-side of When Doves Cry) should have been included for a start

...1984 was the year of Purple Rain. The album, the film, the phenomenon. In his native America, Prince spent an astonishing 24 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Album Chart with this masterful mix of explosive, effervescent and tender pop/rock. Assimilating some of the great icons of black music - Hendrix, Little Richard, James Brown - into his already blossoming musical canon, the Purple One struck pure gold. The previous year's double-album "1999" had catapulted him to genuine mainstream success with the title track and Little Red Corvette. Building upon that breakthrough, he took it a stage further with a scintillating collection of songs that still stand among the best he's ever produced. More than aiming for the commercial jugular, Prince practically redfined what it was, going from a promising wannabe to an all-out superstar... Read review

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Advantages: Wonderful, blissfully fascinating
Disadvantages: too short!

...It's been too long since Enya's last album, The Memory of Trees. She does seem to take her time between albums, which I suppose isn't too surprising given that her work is all original; no covers, and I imagine all those effects and multi-layering takes time to record. Anyway, A Day Without Rain doesn't disappoint, apart from its relative brevity in these days of 16 - 20 tracks on most albums, and playing times of around an hour. It's surprising, therefore, that this has only twelve tracks. Nevertheless, it has twelve *quality* tracks. Wild Child is possibly the most 'commercial' here, and it's very good; I tend to prefer tracks such as Flora's Secret - wonderful imagery of the lovers in the long grass - and Only Time. Great to listen to: close your eyes and be carried away! Oh, and so what if this CD sounds similar to Enya's previous... Read review

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Advantages: ---
Disadvantages: ---

...the CD... a fable! Like the old albums, music is more thoughtless, catchy and relaxing, how old celtic tradition wants. Enya seems, hearing all album, the personification of stillness, and she succede in transmit to listener this feeling, listener who cannot remain not fascinated to the melodies that comes. I close my eyes for some minute, and the impression is to live in another world... the problem is when I reopen my eyes... Nasdaq is negative... The music goes on, and it's impressive notice that it isn't a repetitive melody. All seems follow a logic, a history, and the music is good setted. Ending, "A day without rain" is good maked. Money spent to buy it are good spent, but you must like the genre... otherwise hear it: I don't think you will be disappointed!!... Read review

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Advantages: Heavy AND progressive
Disadvantages: Still fairly inaccessible

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Advantages: a collection of some of their best and biggest hits
Disadvantages: none

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Advantages: relaxing, soothing
Disadvantages: none

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Advantages: Refined Sonic Beauty.
Disadvantages: So Much Talent It's Unfair.

...Sometimes a song really contains everything you hold dear in good music. When 'Summer Babe' (from Pavements debut 'Slanted and Enchanted') found it's way into my heart, the craving for more was inevitable. It has lo-fi ebb that is so laid-back and melodious you can almost see it hanging in the air. Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain was released in 1994 and set the standard by which all Pavements albums would be compared. It spawned several successful singles and it looked like their time had come. Sadly it never happened but Pavement continued to output great albums until they finally imploded in 2000. While his songs are as fluffy as clouds mixed with candyfloss, Steve Malkmus is well able to pen the odd poison lyric. Imagine slagging the Smashing Pumpkins and not expecting a backlash! While both groups have met their maker it seems... Read review

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Advantages: Cool
Disadvantages: none

...I first "discovered" one of the bands during their very own "second coming" at the height of the Britpop era. It was on October 28th 1996, at The Mayfair (god rest its soul) in Newcastle. I was at the Mayfair to watch Ocean Colour Scene play, and being only 17 (and the gig only open to 18yrs +), me and my mates planned that if we got there early we'd have a better chance of getting in (even though we pre-purchased our tickets). That night a band supported OCS, called "The Real People " from Liverpool. I still remember they were absolutley awesome and the very next day i went to my local HMV to purchase a CD. Tho only CD in-stock featuring the Real People was a "semi-compilation" CD called "Liverpool: the calm before the storm". Featuring not only The Real People but also another Liverpool band called "Rain" - Not "the rain" as... Read review

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Advantages: Intelligent sculptures of sound
Disadvantages: Perhaps not enough variety throughout

...Japan were one of those bizarre groups who fought their way into the mainstream and then, just as they found popular and commercial acceptance and success in 1981, pulled the plug. The four members (David Sylvian, Richard Barbieri, Mick Karn and Steve Jansen) went off to pursue solo and collaborative projects but never quite hit the big time again. Singer David Sylvian did have moderate success with his early solo outings but for all of these, the art always came before the profit. It is strange that a band which had gained a large cult following would decide to reform and release an album of new material, but without much fanfare and even with a new name. Rain Tree Crow is the name of both the band and the album which was recorded over an eight month period between 1989 and 1990 in an enormous variety of locations in Italy... Read review

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Advantages: If you hadn't heard her before, you would enjoy her soothing vocals and relaxing tunes. Heals the heart, cultivates the soul.
Disadvantages: For those who know Enya well enough, the album can be a disappointment as she has offered nothing new. Her faster tunes are missing the magic of Orinoco Flow and Anywhere Is.

...There are divided opinions on RAIN. As a follower of Enya since 1989, thought I could shed some understanding to these polarised commentary. I used to admire Enya for her talents; her voice, her unique instrumentation, her powerful instrumentals. I mean, who could forget the melancholic piano in Watermark, or her outstanding vocals in poignant tunes such as How Can I Keep From Singing and Marble Halls in the album Shepherd Moons? Those interested in New Age music should find Pax Deorum in The Memory of Trees a treasure as well. Unfortunately, with ever higher expectations (of the listeners) on etheral tunes and romantic lyrics, Enya (as the self-professed perfectionist) somewhat falls short. Before RAIN, there was Paint The Sky With Stars and A Box of Dreams (CD Box set). We were treated to the best of her works, waiting... Read review

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