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Tell Tale Signs: the Bootleg Series Vol. 8

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
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 ... Read More:

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Evolver

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: John Legend

October 28, 2008
John Legend is in a league all his own. Only the grown can appreciate his passion to release what's true to him. That is what mskes this album beautiful. He takes risks and reacheas to the top with this album. I love this album with all the collaborations he takes this album to the next plateau. Love you John Legend. I'm looking forward to seeing you live in concert.

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19

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Adele

June 24, 2008
This is my new favorite CD. And not only mine, but people in my office have highjacked it as well. People who's musical tastes are completely different to mine love this CD. Can't wait for the next one.

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Safe Trip Home

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
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 believe in ... Read More:

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Day & Age

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: The Killers

November 24, 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 believe in ... Read More:

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A Hundred Million Suns

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Snow Patrol

October 28, 2008
After all the commercial rap stars that have been on the radio lately, it is about time that some real gangsters got some airplay. Let the suburbs have 50 cent and T.I. - Snow patrol is the purest expression of ghetto artform since Wu-Tang entered their 36 chambers. Right away their credibility is obvious; the band takes their name from the coke trade and poorer times when they used to "patrol" for "snow." And as coke prices rose, these snow patrollers found themselves out of the streets and into penthouses and recording contracts.

Coming on the heels of their previous masterpiece "final straw" (a blatant reference to cocaine paraphernalia), SP's latest offering starts off furiously. The group is not afraid to flaunt their legendary status in the inner ... Read More:

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Walt Disney Treasures: The Chronological Donald, Vol. 4 - 1951-1961 (Collector's Tin)

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
starring: James MacDonald, Clarence Nash
directed by: Jack Hannah

November 11, 2008
Even if you didn't get the first three volumes of The Chronological Donald, there's a good reason to get this last one. Along with thirty other cartoons from 1951-1961 is what's universally regarded as the best educational cartoon ever made, "Donald in Mathmagic Land" (1959). In this featurette animated by Hamilton Luske and other Disney animators, the Spirit of Adventure leads Donald to discover mathmatical wonders of music, the Golden Section, the secret of billiards, and other intriguing ideas against lush backgrounds of '50s era Disney at its modernist best. To their credit, the animators don't modernize Donald, who's his irrascible, impetuous self on this mystery tour far from Duckburg.

As Amid Amidi details in his book, Cartoon Modern, Cartoon Modern: Style ... Read More:

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Death Magnetic

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Metallica

September 12, 2008
I was very sceptical, and have stayed away from buying Death Magnetic based on the last 15 years of Metallica music. Then I heard the album from start to finish this weekend. I went out and picked it up the next morning.

The first 4 albums are excellent, and they were produced by Flemming Rasmussen. Then Bob Rock came in and turned the "good Metallica" switch off. Now Rick Rubin has been brought in and finally, the masterpiece that should have followed "...And Justice For All". Rick Rubin is a genius!

This album is very loud, progressive and fun to listen to. Death Magnetic is the album off the year, and easily makes Metallica the comebackk artist of the year. You won't be dissapointed.

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We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Jason Mraz

May 13, 2008
For his third album, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things, singer-songwriter Jason Mraz has delivered a breezy collection of pop songs that take their cues from the '70s.
The result is an engaging, easygoing listen that never quite gets out of first gear. The songs wash over you, often like a cool breeze on a hot summer's day, but unlike previous Mraz LPs there's a sense that he's a little too chilled musically and there's not enough diversity.
That said, some of the songwriting displays real honesty, while two collaborations - with James Morrison and Colbie Caillat.
The reggae-infused "I'm Yours", which really ought to become one of the summer's great love anthems - a song so sweet and happy.
Lucky continues the acoustic vibe and benefits from a lovely boy-girl vocal trade ... Read More:

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Gossip In The Grain

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
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.