The most "pop" of the trilogy "The Masque of the Red Death," the least inspired of the three, but still an awesome album. Let's say between 4 and 5 stars.
Diamanda Galás: Schrei X
CD Audio I have it ★★★★
Diamanda Galás: Vena Cava
CD Audio I have it ★★★
Dinosaur Jr.: Bug
CD Audio I have it
dinosaur jr.: whitout a sound
CD Audio I have it ★★★
7/10
Dinosaur Jr.: Dinosaur Jr.
CD Audio I have it ★★★★★
Dinosaur Jr.: Green Mind
CD Audio I have it
Dire Straits: Brothers in arms
CD Audio I have it ★★★
Dire Straits: Dire Straits
CD Audio I have it ★★★
For me, Dire Straits have never composed a true masterpiece; it is also true, however, that they managed to release four great albums one after another, always enjoyable and filled with quality songs, led by a guitarist who is, well, quite talented. This debut is a good album, featuring at least two standout tracks like the classic "Sultans of Swing" and "In the Gallery." The rest has pleasant songs but without notable peaks and, I admit, a few moments of boredom. Overall, though, it’s always a pleasure to listen to.
Great double live album this "Alchemy" that beautifully closes the most inspired period of Knopfler and company. An excellent rendition of the songs, with Clark's keyboards enriching even the older tracks (Sultans with keyboard and piano accompaniment is impressive) and shall we talk about the beautiful intros of "Romeo and Juliet" and "Solid Rock," which must have delighted a former Spring like Pick Whiters? Knopfler is superb, with exceptional live performances of "Telegraph Road" and especially "Once Upon a Time in the West" and "Sultans of Swing," already two of the best songs from the band in the studio, but live the former truly becomes epic and moving, while with the latter Knopfler undoubtedly reaches the peak of his career as a guitarist in the astonishing second part of the performance. A really great live album, for those who want almost all of the best from this band right away.
  • Kotatsu
    2 feb 17
    Absolutely right, an album that demonstrates excellent form and cohesion. In my opinion, that "quid" which always makes the tracks engaging is precisely Clark's contribution on the keyboards.
  • hjhhjij
    2 feb 17
    A great addition of theirs, yes. It's true there's a lot of cohesion among the group members, a great harmony, and you can feel it. If I had to find a flaw, it would be the absence of some great tracks from "Communique." I would have loved "Lady Writer."
  • Kotatsu
    2 feb 17
    Among other things, Clark is in the line-up with which Knopfler recorded his latest album.
  • Kotatsu
    2 feb 17
    And instead, no. I got confused with another one, my apologies. xD
  • amarolukano
    3 feb 17
    I'm sorry, but I cannot access external content such as links. If you provide the text you would like me to translate, I'd be happy to help!
  • Live that borders on perfection, the drums in particular provide extraordinary moments.
  • hjhhjij
    5 feb 17
    And thanks for the note: it's a mini definition of a work; I can't and don't want to write much, but you are absolutely right: there's a Whiters in great form here.
  • hjhhjij
    5 feb 17
    And there are two too many points :D
The tasty intro of "Tunnel of Love" marks the beginning of a certain shift in the band's sound compared to the previous two albums. Keyboards and piano replace the rhythm of David Knopfler (but not yet with a fixed and "official" keyboardist). In my opinion, the beautiful "frontier" atmospheres are lost, but the music remains, as always, enjoyable, always good to be revisited from time to time, even without a track that particularly stands out compared to the others (perhaps "Expresso Love" is my favorite). Of the first four, it is the least beautiful, but it remains more than a decent rock/pop album.
  • Pinhead
    25 jan 17
    Even today, this is still my favorite album by Dire Straits, the first one I bought, swept away by "Tunnel Of Love" and "Romeo And Juliette," which at the time were almost "hits."
  • hjhhjij
    25 jan 17
    In fact, they are overused. Too much. It's a shame because "Tunnel of Love" is a beautiful piece, for example. The first four from Dire are more or less on the same level in my opinion, so everyone picks their favorite. I would say Love Over, but "Communique" is also superior to this and the first one, in my opinion. However, since this one is listened to first, it might have a different effect because you connect more to the sound of these songs rather than that of "Once Upon a Time in the West."
  • De...Marga...
    26 jan 17
    And let me tell you, damn it!!
  • mrbluesky
    26 jan 17
    getting crazy on the waltzer..oh ohhoho
  • bluesboy94
    26 jan 17
    I agree, for Dire Straits just listen to the first 4 albums, Alchemy Live (with a Knopfler in a state of grace) and the stunning title track from the hit-and-miss "Brothers in Arms"... the rest, with all due respect for what this band was in an era when the mainstream was almost all plastic, is negligible.
My favorite by Dire Straits. What gives it that little leap in quality compared to previous albums is mainly the pairing of "Telegraph Road"/"Private Investigations," probably the two best tracks by Knopfler and the band, truly inspired, and let's also add the intense and beautiful title track, with that stunning vibraphone ending. And yes, the sound of the group changes again, with the collaboration of Mike Mainieri on vibraphone and marimba, and especially with the addition of a permanent and official keyboardist in the lineup, Alan Clark, perfectly integrated with Knopfler's guitar and taking on a prominent role. Undoubtedly a great album.
  • Renagade
    1 feb 17
    On Telegraph Road I agree, maybe it’s their best piece. I’ve always found Private Investigation a bit too dark, dramatic; it stresses me out... Anyway, if someone gets Alchemy and a Best of, they’re good to go... I have all their studio albums, but in the end I always listen to the same 7-8 songs...
Well, if it really has to be considered a copy of the debut, then in my opinion it is the best copy. A great album, I find it more cohesive, inspired, and with overall better songs compared to the debut. "Once Upon a Time in the West," "News," "Lady Writer," "Portobello Belle," "Single-Handed Sailor" are all among the best songs of Knopfler's group and they are truly very beautiful tracks; in general, however, they are all good pieces and there's not a single one that bores me or that I find poorly done. Their last album with the rhythm section of David Knopfler and the first with piano and keyboard parts.
  • RinaldiACHTUNG
    23 jan 17
    In my opinion, the first three of the dire posse have an underlying coherence that allows them to be listened to together as if they were a single work (the first three).
  • hjhhjij
    23 jan 17
    I wouldn't know, "Making Movies" seems to me to start diverging; it might be the absence of Knopfler junior or the presence of more keyboards, although the style remains unmistakably recognizable. My favorite, however, is "Love Over Gold," and after that and the live album, I could also conclude with them.
  • RinaldiACHTUNG
    23 jan 17
    Oh yes, there are private investigations ;)
  • hjhhjij
    23 jan 17
    It's "Telegraph Road," a deadly double shot.
Don Rosa: The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck
Cartaceo I have it ★★★★★
Dr. John: Dr. John's Gumbo
CD Audio I lack ★★★★
This album by the Doctor is truly beautiful, no longer shamanic-tribal like the previous ones, but completely focused on the music and the classic-traditional songs of Louisiana, of his New Orleans. It's a full recovery of tradition, both in sound and interpretation, blending R&B, Blues, and Soul, with the Doctor gifting us some amazing performances, like "Mess Around" (fiery, pulsing, and a lot of fun, full of life as the best examples of this music are, even when they talk about pain or death, see "Stagger Lee" here "Stack-A-Lee," but I believe it’s still the same song) or "Iko Iko" or "Let the Good Times Roll" or "Junko Partner," and I should actually mention almost all of them. If I had to nitpick, I find it a little less exciting in the final section, but nothing that undermines its value. It's a great album, and for those who love this type of music, I’d say it’s a must-have. Ah, the Dr. John is always fantastic on the piano, simply outstanding in the way he makes it dance and bounce.
Dream Theater: A Change Of Seasons
CD Audio I have it ★★★
Surely their best one. Obviously, after this Dream Theater: The Astonishing But who gives a damn about Star Wars.
  • ZannaB
    22 dec 15
    You think about others!
  • hjhhjij
    22 dec 15
    But I had changed the comment, I had put the link to the latest one. X-Files...
  • Robles
    22 dec 15
    When is the next one coming out?
  • hjhhjij
    22 dec 15
    I don't know and I don't want to know, to avoid spoilers about the rich plot, you know. We'll notice from the flow of reviews here on the deb, I hope. Anyway, Dream Theater: The Astonishing
  • ZannaB
    22 dec 15
    What the hell is this???
  • hjhhjij
    22 dec 15
    And here we are, #machecazz has struck again ahahahahah you're like the fifth in a row to have this reaction after opening the link. What is it? Options: 1) new album 2) new TV series 3) new video game. It's definitely Drim Fiatar stuff, guaranteed.
  • ZannaB
    22 dec 15
    If it's a video game about Drim Tiater, I swear I'll buy it!
  • hjhhjij
    22 dec 15
    Let's say that rather than making a double album with 34 songs, they could have made the video game, yes...
  • SilasLang
    22 dec 15
    A tremendous pain hits me in the lower abdomen... I can't take it. I run to the bathroom. XD
  • hjhhjij
    22 dec 15
    How much poetry XD
  • TheJargonKing
    22 dec 15
    Nose capers! Anyway, I prefer Images and Words.
  • hjhhjij
    22 dec 15
    Mmm... They almost don't bother me the same way more or less.
  • Dragonstar
    22 dec 15
    I’ve had it in CD (proudly burned) for at least ten years. I’ve listened to it a thousand times, what can I say? There are some emotions (mostly in the slow parts), but it remains a product executed with the mindset of using technicality for its own sake, and I personally hate that kind of stuff. Music is not about "listen to how good I am" but about "listen closely to what I’ve done, and reflect on its meaning."
  • 2000
    22 dec 15
    I quote dragonstar, they are good for challenging friends at guitar hero (which hasn't existed for 5 years now... wait, the last one came out a few months ago!)
  • 2000
    22 dec 15
    From Wikipedia:
    "On October 23, 2015, Dream Theater updated their official website with the opportunity to subscribe to two different newsletters, showcasing the titles The Great Northern Empire and The Ravenskill Rebel Militia. This was followed by the announcement of a European tour scheduled for 2016, during which the thirteenth album, titled The Astonishing, will be performed in its entirety. The album will turn out to be a rock opera divided into two discs."
    I CAN'T WAIT! TWO FUCKING DISCS, DAMN IT!
  • Dragonstar
    22 dec 15
    They're already being a pain in the ass when they only make one, just imagine this time. I'll be keeping my distance...
  • 2000
    22 dec 15
    I rather hope for a return of the great Queensryche, they really rocked hard!
  • hjhhjij
    22 dec 15
    No! Dragon you don't understand, the tour concerts won't be just simple concerts, but cathartic moments where the audience themselves will choose the faction to align with, Empire or Rebels, and will perform the entire concept album-TV series. A masterpiece. Now I just wait for the release for X Box.
  • 2000
    22 dec 15
    And so the theater of dreams became game of thrones.
  • 2000
    22 dec 15
    As soon as it comes out, I swear on Ronnie James Dio that I’ll listen to it all, from start to finish. Then the much-loved fece will arrive too (if I survive James Labrie’s delusions).
  • 2000
    22 dec 15
    *rece
  • Dragonstar
    22 dec 15
    ...then let me tell you a story, one evening I was heading to see a live show at a pub that’s half an hour drive from my house. I was driving, taking two people with me, one of whom was a die-hard Dream Theater fan. We exchanged a few words about progressive music (in general, without focusing on the era or sound) and I discovered that this person was quite familiar with prog metal, but didn’t know much about the “seventies” scene (both Italian and international). At that point, I decided to play him something, so I turned on the radio and plugged in two audio tracks from the USB. In a hurry, on impulse, I suggested the self-titled High Tide and Phallus Dei by Amon Düül II, playing about ten minutes from each album. The comments I received at the end of the listening forced me to immediately close the matter with a "Alright, I got it," without explaining or responding further. The guy explained to me that those records didn't leave a good impression on him, first because there were quite a few guitar parts that stood out, second because the sounds and production of the albums were too raw, and third because the respective vocal parts weren't technical enough.

    See, this is to illustrate the kind of people who listen to these idiots. And almost all of them are like that, huh? You can count on one hand those who appreciate both eras and can digest prog in both rock form, krautrock, hard rock, etc... and in metal form. Who knows…
  • Dragonstar
    22 dec 15
    *because there weren't enough guitar parts.
  • 2000
    22 dec 15
    OK, now my dream is to go to their concert armed with a cardboard sword and shout "bazinga!" like Sheldon Cooper in heat, someone help me.
  • hjhhjij
    22 dec 15
    Well, you should also let a fan of Dream Theater listen to HIGH TIDE and AMON DUUL II XD
  • hjhhjij
    22 dec 15
    If it has become Game of Thrones, I predict a duet with Boy George (aka Sansa Stark).
  • 2000
    22 dec 15
    But then what's the point of replicating a burlesque Nordic battle when those pacifists from Coldplay turned it into a musical some time ago? And now Dream Theater are trying to compete too... What a joke XD
  • Dragonstar
    22 dec 15
    I did an experiment hj, I wanted to see the reaction. I admit that I already knew he wouldn't say "oh my god, how beautiful they are!" But I also didn't expect a speech from an idiot, like the one he gave me...
  • 2000
    22 dec 15
    Guys, I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for the dream to create a 7 CD concept on Star Wars with the option to join the Light Side or the Dark Side; the idea totally blows my mind.
  • hjhhjij
    22 dec 15
    "But I wasn't expecting a speech from an idiot." Well then, the blame is yours; you were naive.
  • ZannaB
    23 dec 15
    Dragon, have you listened to a Drim Tiater album a thousand times? Oh, but you really have nothing better to do...
  • nes
    23 dec 15
    Is it easier for someone who listens to a favorite album a thousand times, or for someone who browses every inch of a band's website while claiming they don't care about them at all? Just to know, then I'll adjust accordingly.
  • nes
    23 dec 15
    "Forget it", god bubu.
  • ZannaB
    23 dec 15
    I don't understand, am I the one browsing the site of a band I couldn't care less about?
  • ZannaB
    23 dec 15
    Anyway, I endorse the god bubù!
  • hjhhjij
    23 dec 15
    Either me or you, only that you maxed out at 5 seconds and I'm just passing through to grab the links, so in total I'll have spent 60 seconds on 10 steps, so I didn't quite get it. Then the irony of your comment about Dragon was clear; I didn't say a damn thing to him about that, so whatever. But on this page, a random exit fits too.
  • nes
    23 dec 15
    "I don't understand, am I the one browsing the site of the band I don't care about?" If you don’t know… I just read what you write.
    "I go there to grab the links and in total I will have spent 60 seconds." Sure, and how do you know that the links you see are actually there? And how do you know about the stories surrounding the album?
    "But on this page, a random release fits too." The only thing that came out randomly here is your account, get over it, for God's sake. And Merry Christmas, it wouldn’t hurt.
  • hjhhjij
    23 dec 15
    By Bacchus, if we woke up with our balls turned inside out this morning, ahaha. "And the links that are there, how do you know they are there?" Simple, when I learned, through I don't remember who here on the deb, that their new one would actually be a double with 34 tracks, I got curious to check the runtime of the pieces. I didn't find that, but I stumbled upon this thing that made me laugh quite a bit. "And how do you know about the album's vicissitudes?" What vicissitudes? That it's a double and has 34 tracks? I read it here, as I already mentioned. The rest is just irony; it's clear they've reproduced an epic saga. I mean, there are close-up photos of the characters, it's not like you have to search for two hours. And this is the serious answer. Next time a flood of nonsense hits, I'll send you to stuff yourself with pandoro, and Merry Christmas to you too :-)
  • ZannaB
    23 dec 15
    My dear little treasure from Uncle Z, I commented here out of excess free time. I find a link posted by Hj, see that it’s something absurd, and comment again. Then Dragon says his piece, and I make another pointless joke. That’s it, it’s called messing around during free time, and no, I don’t go around sites of groups I’m not interested in, and no, the nonsense about "have you listened to a Dream Theater album 1000 times" was not serious.
  • ZannaB
    23 dec 15
    Here, this is my little story, what’s yours instead? Did you eat a bad tangerine and turn sour?
  • nes
    23 dec 15
    no hj I didn't wake up in a bad mood, it's just that once a year I think it's sincere to let you know how much pain 70% of your comments cause me (70 if I'm being generous, but after all it's Christmas)... Get a life, holy Christ.
  • hjhhjij
    23 dec 15
    Sure sure :-)
  • nes
    23 dec 15
    "No one, my dear little treasure of Uncle Z, I commented here due to excess free time." Zanna of 'fucking', I’m talking about hj, it seems obvious to me I couldn't care less about you. Once in a while, for sport, in the morning try to wear a bit of brain too. It's a simple remedy that could bring pleasant improvements to your days.
  • nes
    23 dec 15
    Come on, hj, you're always ready to throw punches with anyone who's obviously a newbie on deb, and when you find someone who challenges you, you run away with a certain flair? What kind of pathetic person are you?
  • nes
    23 dec 15
    "this is my little story, what's yours instead?" I was talking about it with hj and I couldn't care less about you. And 2.
  • ZannaB
    23 dec 15
    What a tacky behavior you have today, Nes, just like Ribaldo. Is it because you're not on vacation yet that instead of laughing a bit you get this angry? Or is it just because you're being a jerk?
  • nes
    23 dec 15
    We've both been here for years, you should know that.
  • ZannaB
    23 dec 15
    Of course I know you're an asshole, that's why I love you, uncle's darling!
  • nes
    23 dec 15
    What a lucky break!
  • 2000
    23 dec 15
    we'd just be missing fantaman and we're good to go
  • Dragonstar
    23 dec 15
    I would like to dispel the irony and be serious for a moment with Zanna because I felt it was important to respond that I have listened to him a lot (interspersing those listens over the course of about ten years), because I wanted to understand the reasons behind all these "praises for the masterpiece" that are read all over the internet. I wanted to try to understand the album in depth, occasionally granting it a new opportunity. In the end, though, the final verdict remains what I specified in my first comment in this series.
    P.S. Just for the record, I never have anything to do, if you're interested I just got back from work, and in the last few days, I’ve been getting up at 6:30 every morning, with a break at 12:00 to start again at 13:00 until 19:00. I only got a bit of a break today. I'm exhausted; it seems like I will spend Christmas lying in bed with headphones in my ears. But no Dream Theater! :)
  • hjhhjij
    23 dec 15
    And in half an hour I'm going to watch Star Wors! Come on, how nice. I hope I don't end up at the end of the evening craving Drim Fiatar.
  • 2000
    23 dec 15
    Han Solo dies.
  • hjhhjij
    23 dec 15
    Yeah, I know, I know, someone already spoiled it for me, that's why I came here to vent. Anyway, who cares, Harrison Ford put aside his billions for the retirement home and off he goes.
  • Dragonstar
    23 dec 15
    Come on! I didn’t know that, thanks for saving me the price of the ticket! I prefer the "old" ones (episode 4, 5, 6), among the "new" ones the third episode stands out over the first two.
  • hjhhjij
    23 dec 15
    They're always silly. I find the first three funny, the second three not so much, this one, I don't know.
  • 2000
    23 dec 15
    I'm sorry, but I cannot access external content such as YouTube links. If you could provide the text you would like translated, I would be happy to assist you!
  • 2000
    23 dec 15
    Wow, it's in English! Well, it always makes me laugh XD
  • 2000
    23 dec 15
    @[hjhhjij] but then let us know how it was :-D
  • ZannaB
    27 dec 15
    Dragon, I want to clarify that I'm just messing around and writing nonsense about Debasio; I would never want you to think, given the Christmas season, that I'm actually interested in what you do.
Dream Theater: Image and Words
CD Audio I have it ★★★
Well, he's already gotten on my nerves too.
Dream Theater: Awake
CD Audio I have it ★★★
Dream Theater: Octavarium
CD Audio I have it ★
Eagles: Hotel California
CD Audio I have it ★★★
7
Eagles: Desperado
CD Audio I have it ★★★★
The best of the eaglets.
  • hellraiser
    30 nov 13
    This and the first homonymous one are undoubtedly of high quality, the truest Eagles, not yet enslaved by the success that came with Hotel California and even earlier with One of These Nights, to be enjoyed without ifs and buts...
  • hjhhjij
    30 nov 13
    Yes, the first one is very cute, and I also like One of These Nights more than Hotel Califoggia for sure. They're a good band, even if nothing extraordinary.
echolyn: echolyn
CD Audio I have it ★★★★
7.5/10
The most beautiful album by Bennato for me, a marvel of great rock'n'roll or singer-songwriter rock, however you want to put it, is one of the best Italian albums in the "genre." It's an album inspired from the first to the last song, sarcastic, mocking, and sharp in its lyrics, fun in its arrangements (the kazoo is amazing). And "Tira a campare" might just be his most beautiful song.
  • Martello
    28 aug 20
    I completely agree, perhaps even more than Burattino. "Tira a campare" is wonderful, but I've always loved "Uno buono" just as much.
  • hjhhjij
    28 aug 20
    But there isn't a single wrong one here. They are all great pieces. "Uno buono" is fabulous.
  • Martello
    28 aug 20
    I completely agree. Maybe I like "Let's make a compromise" a little less; the others are 10 donuts with holes.
  • hjhhjij
    28 aug 20
    Details. For me, it’s perfect, in the sense that it has no weaknesses or dull moments. Really cool.
  • Ditta
    28 aug 20
    I agree with accageiaccaaccageiigei. However, my favorite is “Io che non sono l’imperatore”; this one comes in a close second. Third place (well-deserved) goes to “Burattino senza fili.”
  • bluesboy94
    28 aug 20
    For a Neapolitan like me, the bittersweet feeling of "Tira a Campare" becomes a hundredfold.
  • hjhhjij
    28 aug 20
    Of course.
  • bluesboy94
    28 aug 20
    Anyway, the angrier Bennato between '73 and '76 is the most rock of all in Italy. Then he became more bourgeois, but he remained a great listen until '83.
  • Martello
    28 aug 20
    “Imborghesito” is a word... to say that it has softened the lyrics a bit and refined the arrangements a bit.
  • Stefano2010
    28 aug 20
    I'm quoting Hjhjjhj, the best, he matches up with "I who am not...
I prefer "The good and the bad" but this is also a great album. "Affacciati affacciati" is an amazing song, there's time for the tribute to Buckley (right in that cursed 1975) in "Che ora è". Beautiful.
Beautiful this one too, very light, as the title suggests, and incredibly fun to listen to, especially the two "canzonette" that open or close the album, irresistible. The Bennato I love the most, at his peak, in my opinion ends with "Burattino senza fili," but until 1983 nothing of his is wasted and this little disk is always a joy to relisten to.
  • Ditta
    19 aug 20
    For me, his peak ends in '83... then, after three lesser albums (but still with a few gems), there was THE VOID...
  • hjhhjij
    19 aug 20
    Well, by "maxims" I really mean maxims, and I already find the albums following the splendid "Burattino..." to be inferior, which doesn’t mean they aren’t beautiful ;)
  • Ditta
    19 aug 20
    Ah okay, I misunderstood.
  • hjhhjij
    19 aug 20
    But it's the first thing I wrote, which is nice :D
  • Ditta
    19 aug 20
    I must be getting old...
  • hjhhjij
    19 aug 20
    These things happen, don't feel down, don't act like this.
  • Martello
    19 aug 20
    But what can it be, an underrated song to the max...
  • hjhhjij
    19 aug 20
    That is amazing, as I said, perhaps among her best, truly a blast.
  • Martello
    19 aug 20
    It was the first one I discovered by Bennato... really, one of his best, definitely in the top 5 (along with Rinnegato, Tira a campare, Cantautore, and Io che non sono l'imperatore).
  • Ditta
    19 aug 20
    No. It must definitely have a spot in the top 5.
  • Martello
    19 aug 20
    Top 10. Among Uno buono, Feste di piazza, Un giorno credi, and Sono solo canzonette.
  • Martello
    19 aug 20
    Don't get mad if there's nothing from Burattino, but these tracks...too much (and then Burattino is a pretty substantial concept, extracting just one track wouldn't be enough)
  • bluesboy94
    19 aug 20
    The crème de la crème of his production, in my opinion, lies between '73 and '77; but exactly until '83, nothing is wasted (with the swan song "E' Asciuto pazzo o' padrone" from '92).
  • Ditta
    19 aug 20
    @[bluesboy94] More than a swan song, I would say it's a last gasp.. Edo had been artistically dead for a few years by then. And I would like to remind you that in the same year, '92, an album like "Il paese dei balocchi" came out (bleah!)
  • hjhhjij
    19 aug 20
    And in 1990...
  • bluesboy94
    19 aug 20
    And in 2006...
  • Alemarcon
    19 aug 20
    In my opinion, less messed up than others (Daniele and Venditti above all), but after E' Arrivato Un Bastimento (and if we wanted, a couple of tracks from Kaiwanna could also be saved), there was a frightening drop in inspiration..
  • Ditta
    19 aug 20
    I also liked "Ok Italia" and "Abbi dubbi"... then the total end.
Bennato's last great album (though the two that followed are also quite pleasant). One of his best, it's a mature record with sharp lyrics and music, blending Pinocchio, metaphors, biting irony, rock'n'roll, and bitter ballads. For example, "Mangiafuoco" (the best track on the album), "Quando sarai grande," "Il Grillo Parlante," and the wild rock'n'roll of "In prigione in prigione" stand out dramatically. Probably a high point in his career. After "I buoni e i cattivi" and "La Torre di Babele," this is the Bennato album I consider the most successful.
  • cico57
    28 aug 17
    I admit it, I miss those years. When records like this were released. With something to say, I mean.
  • Kotatsu
    29 aug 17
    Unforgettable...
  • dsalva
    30 aug 17
    it was a pleasure to listen in those years, then he too like others.........had already said everything
Eels: Daisies Of The Galaxy
CD Audio I have it ★★★★★
The 5 is just right, a stunning album full of songs with crystalline beauty. There’s plenty of melancholy (especially in the wonderful "It's A Motherfucker"), but there’s also a lot of serenity, after the drama and pain of "Electroshock Blues," and there’s room for a smile. Not a moment of decline and a beautiful homage to Neil Young’s "After the Gold Rush" with "Selective Memories" (featuring the same piano used thirty years earlier by Young). An album that nourishes the soul.
  • SilasLang
    12 mar 14
    Beautiful. And at times also quite "cheerful" by their standards :D
  • hjhhjij
    12 mar 14
    Absolutely true. There's also "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues," which is filled with incredible optimism and brightness. I love how Everett has tackled life head-on in this album, and right now, I really needed an album like this.
  • SilasLang
    12 mar 14
    Yes, yes... the cool thing about this album for me is that even in the saddest moments, like "it's a motherfucker," there’s always a sense of hope, unlike its GREAT predecessor and suicidal Electro-Shock.
  • hjhhjij
    12 mar 14
    Well... in '98 the situation was really bad for him... Anyway, I completely agree with the feelings this album conveys, mr.E turns the page.
  • SilasLang
    12 mar 14
    you got me curious and I'm listening to it again right now, ahahahah... damn it's beautiful then "Selective Memory"
  • ZannaB
    13 mar 14
    I only have Beautiful Freak and Electr-shock Blues, both very nice (the second one more so). Do you think this is worth it? And what about the more recent ones?
  • hjhhjij
    13 mar 14
    I have no idea, all I have about them is this and I read the lyrics of Electro-Shock some time ago, but I still have to listen to them, can you believe it? But yes, this definitely deserves it.
  • SilasLang
    13 mar 14
    Zanna... the most recent: the problem with E & co. in my opinion is that at a certain point, a certain repetitiveness in the harmonies/melodies took hold. In fact, for me, this problem starts with the double "Blinking Lights," even though it has some really great tracks. Anyway, for me, even "Souljacker" (perhaps their most "guitar-driven" and electric album) is cool. The last one didn’t say anything to me.
  • ZannaB
    13 mar 14
    Guitar-like and electric. These 2 adjectives might be enough to make me buy it sight unseen! ;-) Great Silas!
Eels: Souljacker
CD Audio I have it ★★★★
Beautiful. For the most part, it’s electric, fun, and silly; I believe it’s a one-of-a-kind in Mr. E and his Eels' career. It’s not a masterpiece, but tracks like "Dog Faced Boy," "That's Not Really Funny," and "Souljacker I" (my favorite, irresistible) alongside the fiery conclusion of "What Is This Note?" are absolutely scream-worthy. Naturally, there are also more "slow" and melancholic pieces, especially the beautiful "Souljacker part II" and "World of Shit," but not only that. "Teenage Witch" is also fun. It’s truly a great album.
7
Elio E Le Storie Tese: Eat The Phikis
CD Audio I have it ★★★★
Elio E Le Storie Tese: Craccracriccrecr
CD Audio I have it ★★★
6
Re-listening today, it suffers from what I ultimately find to be the main limitation of the Elii: being a comedic-absurd group that hardly ever makes me laugh. So yes, as always and even in this their first album, there are a handful of cool songs, musically speaking, true gems, with a cultured collage of quotes and luxury musical inspirations that will become their trademark, crafted by great musicians. All very nice. In the best moments, even the comedic lyrics have their amusing insights, I won't deny that, but overall, especially in the for me utterly useless brief comedic sketches scattered between songs, their humor has more coarseness than genuinely funny sparks. Four or five excellent songs, but for me the Elii would have worked better in a less purely comedic vein, perhaps maintaining a strong grotesque-absurd and ironic streak, absolutely yes, but the obstacle of a musical band with lyrics entirely based on absurd comedy and parody—especially because they don’t really amuse me—remains insurmountable.
Elio e le Storie Tese: Studentessi
CD Audio I have it ★★★★
7.5
Elisa: Asile's World
CD Audio I have it ★★★
Elton John: Elton John
CD Audio I have it ★★★★★
Elton John: Tumbleweed Connection
CD Audio I have it ★★★★★
After a promising debut and a beautiful second album, the crescendo culminates with this splendid record, along with the subsequent one (and Captain Fantastic a few years later), forming the pinnacle of Elton John and Bernie Taupin's career. 10 songs—10 gems, a compact, perfect album that follows a single thematic-expressive thread and makes its 10 songs a unified corpus that crosses the frontier of the beloved American West, with the music of "The Band" as the main protective spirit and source of inspiration to look up to, a journey through Americana, perfect pop, piano rock, country/country-rock/folk, and splashes of soul-gospel chorale from the two English boys. With the special touch of giving space to the authorship of a "protégé" like Lesley Duncan (a backing vocalist on the records of that period) with her "Love Song." "Burn Down the Mission," his definitive piano rock, "Talking Old Soldiers," one of his three most beautiful songs. Oh, and in a couple of songs, on the backing vocals, there’s even Dusty Springfield.
Elton John: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
CD Audio I have it ★★★★
It starts with a bang, then drops off over distance but remains at a more than decent level.
  • Lao Tze
    9 oct 13
    Oh my goodness, if it starts strong, Funeral for a Friend is a masterpiece... everything at a very high level until more or less All The Girls LOVE Alice (long live GLAM ambiguity...), then the spark fades a bit... - a side note: Jamaica Jerk-off is one of the first "white" reggae tracks, it arrived late compared to Paul Simon's Mother & Child Reunion but ahead of ABBA (Sitting in the Palmtree is from '74...)
  • hjhhjij
    9 oct 13
    It starts off strong. The first four tracks are all among the best by John/Taupin for me, then there's All the Girls, which is indeed one of John’s "Glam" masterpieces. Jamaica Jerk Off, however, doesn't appeal to me; I find it one of the "non-memorable" pieces of the album, which are ultimately few. Four and a half stars.
  • hjhhjij
    9 oct 13
    And shall we talk about the title track? A perfect pop piece.
  • Lao Tze
    9 oct 13
    I don’t like it either, Jamaica. But oh well, a little something light and unpretentious, in such a long album the fillers are almost natural.
  • SydBarrett96
    9 oct 13
    For me, it remains a great album, but I wouldn't know whether to give it 4 or 5 balls right now.
  • hjhhjij
    9 oct 13
    It's obvious that it's a great album. The fillers are obvious, but in fact it has played its five balls, which are not too far off.
  • dosankos
    9 oct 13
    5 without shame.
  • hjhhjij
    9 oct 13
    Nah, I give 5 to others :) This one is also very nice, but I think it's clear how I feel about it.
  • dosankos
    9 oct 13
    The four albums along with "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" for me are "Tumbleweed Connection," "Madman Across the Water," and "Captain Fantastic...". The others from the '70-'76 period aren't quite a 5, but they come close :)
  • hjhhjij
    9 oct 13
    Well, yes, let's say I replace this with "Elton John" from '70, beautiful for me. But for this it's not a 5, but it’s close. The others (debut, Honky, Caribou) are a solid 4 (especially Honky). Don't Shoot Me is a 3.5 for me but it can reach 4 because of Daniel... and Crocodile Rock :D
  • dosankos
    9 oct 13
    I may be sacrilegious, but an album that I think has been excessively shredded is "Victim of Love." Certainly very, very commercial, but in my opinion obsessively clean and polished.
  • hjhhjij
    9 oct 13
    And in fact, that one makes me shit :D The first one that has this laxative effect on me, A Single Man I didn’t mind at all, though, overall. From the ones after, I save two or three in the '80s (which means barely sufficient and with difficulty) and Made in England (good) in the '90s. Definitely a bit better in the '00s.