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Covers

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: James Taylor

September 30, 2008
I AM one of those people who look forward to Taylor's new releases. But this one just didn't do it for me. He's done a great job with covers over the years, but with the exception on one track on this release, I thought he just didn't bring anything new to these.

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Tell Tale Signs: the Bootleg Series Vol. 8

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Bob Dylan

October 07, 2008
So now we are up to Volume 8 in the long running Bob Dylan "Bootleg" series, first started in 1991. The "Bootleg" series has focused on 1960s and 1970s recordings, but this release ventures in new territory, as it looks back on (broadly defined) the last 20 years of Bob Dylan.

When listening to "The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8. Tell Tale Signs - Rare and Unreleased 1989 - 2006" (2 CDs, 27 tracks, 138 min.), the first thing that immediately strikes your attention is that unreleased and alternate tracks from 1989's "Oh Mercy" and 1997's "Time Out of Mind" cover about half this release (13 tracks, to be precise), and simply confirm how much on the top of his game Dyland was at those times. The crowning moments for me are the 2 alternate takes of ... Read More:

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Safe Trip Home

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Dido

November 18, 2008
Dido burst onto the scene in 1999 with her multi million selling debut "No angel", an electro/pop/dance affair led by the hit "Thank you" famously sampled by Eminem on his #1 hit "Stan".

Her sophomore disc "Life for rent" saw her heading in a more Folk-y acoustic direction which I didn't like as in my opinion, it largely lacked tunes and was too gloomy (I actually returned the CD to the store and took Aretha Franklin's new disc instead).

Third CD "Safe trip home" sees her returning still treading in Feist/Emiliana Torrini territory, but with her edginess back, probably thanks to featured guests like ?uestlove (from Rap group The Roots), Mick Fleetwood, and Brian Eno.

Opening the disc is the groovy and catchy "Don't ... Read More:

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Gossip In The Grain

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Ray LaMontagne

October 14, 2008
First time I've bought anything by this artist. Since buying it I have kept it in heavy rotation in my car CD player. His voice is very different, and his phrasing is wonderful. In some ways he reminds me of a young Van Morrison. I hope to hear more from him.

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Cardinology

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Ryan Adams & the Cardinals

October 28, 2008
Wow...how does one go from the heights of lyrical magic (as heard on "Tiger") tearing your heart out over bad drugs, wounded lovers, and fragile recovery, and go to...this? "Cardinology" has every flaw seen in a scared, lazy, shallow album--songs that are familiar (but in a bad way--sooo predictable), crappy guitar-work with Godawful mixes, minimal tension and atmosphere....it's as if Senor R. crapped in his widdle pants and decided to frame it for the world to see. The steel guitar may actually be good, who would know, since it's buried in mud. Here's a laugh, I was actually thankful for the low song output on this effort, since it ended my pain. It's worse than bad...it's half-good. Ryan, wake up!

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Raising Sand

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Singer-Songwriters
from: Rounder

October 23, 2007
This is one of my favorite CDs. Each song brings up a different emotion. Everyone I have played it for loves it. I play it over and over and enjoy it more each time.

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Learn To Live

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Darius Rucker

September 16, 2008
A Cd this great only comes around a few times a year, and Darius Ruckers CD would rank number one against most of them. This is one of those CD's you can listen to from start to finish without skipping a track. With his smooth vocals and great storytelling, any country fan who wouldn't pick this up would be out of their mind. Take my advice and pick up this GREAT country CD, you will not be disappionted.

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One of the Boys

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Katy Perry

June 17, 2008
Katy Perry is a great singer and has the right idea with her songs. However, the musical aspect of the other tunes besides the two radio hits kind of misses the mark. Such a shame for a talented person such as she.

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Break Up the Concrete

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: The Pretenders

October 07, 2008
The Pretenders have not made a great album since "Learning to Crawl" ... maybe it's time to try Rick Rubin.

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Sugar Mountain-Live At Canterbury House 1968 (CD/DVD)

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Neil Young

December 02, 2008
The Pretenders have not made a great album since "Learning to Crawl" ... maybe it's time to try Rick Rubin.