SmokeCDs.com - Recent Reviews

Golden Rules For Golden People - Pretty and Nice

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00 -1300

GOLDEN RULES FOR GOLDEN PEOPLE is the third full length album from Boston band Pretty & Nice.

Pretty & Nice are intent on creating joyous feelings. Songs are born on sunny porches, electrified, dolled up, and slingshot skyward. It's an advanced pop crash course, and your brain may have trouble keeping up with your feet.

Tracklisting

Stallion & Mare
Mummy Jets
Critters
New Czar
Q_Q
Gold Fools
Yonkers
Money Music
Kill the Beast
Golden Rules
The Frog

The Place Beyond The Pines - Original Score by Mike Patton OST

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00 -1300

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES is Derek Cianfrance's upcoming crime drama film. It tells the story of a motorcycle stund rider (Ryan Gosling), who considers committing a crime in order to provide for his newbourn child, an act that puts him on a collision course with a cop-turned-politician (Bradley Cooper).

Mike Patton, American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist best known a the lead singer of the alternative rock band Faith No More delivers a sweeping and brooding score. His music guides the audience through this multi generational story often linking characters and locations.

In addition to Mike's score, the album features an eclectic selection of music by the likes of Vladimir Ivanoff (Miserere Mei), Arvo Part (Fratres), Bon Iver (The Wolves), Ennio Morricone (Ninna Nanna Per Adulteri) and The Cryin' Shames (Please Stay). With more than 100 minutes of music throughout the film, the music is an essential aspect of storytelling.

Tracklisting

Music by Mike Patton
1. Schenectady
2. Family Trees
3. Bromance
4. Forest of Conscience
5. Beyond the Pines
6. Evergreen
7. Misremembering
8. Sonday
9. Coniferae
10. Eclipse of the Son
11. The Snow Angel
12. Handsome Luke
13. Please Stay (The Cryin' Shames)
14. Miserere Mei (Vladimir Ivanoff)
15. Fratres for Strings and Percussion (Arvo Part)
16. Ninna Nanna Per Adulteri (Ennio Morricone)
17. The Wolves (Act I and II) (Bon Iver)

The Happiness Waltz (CD) - Josh Rouse

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00 -1300

Sonically, The Happiness Waltz takes a trip back into Rouse's early-2000's period, a time when so many of his longtime fans really came on board. A number of the new tracks could easily find a home on the AM radio of the late 1970's, nestled between some of the biggest songs of the day. Lyrically, The Happiness Waltz is very much an album in the present, featuring some of Rouse's most personal songs to date. Rouse reunites with producer Brad Jones, who produced and engineered two of his most beloved albums, 1972 (2003) and Nashville (2005). The Happiness Waltz was recorded in Valencia, Spain at Josh's studio Rio Bravo; with overdubs and mixing completed at Alex The Great in Nashville, TN.

rnrnAfter nine acclaimed studio albums, residing all over the U.S. and touring the world, Rouse found his muse for The Happiness Waltz in what is most near and dear to him, his new family. In 2005, the Nebraska native moved to Spain, where he now spends the majority of his time with his wife and two young children. The thoughts and perspective gained from his experience as a husband and father pervades the 12 songs that make up The Happiness Waltz.

rnrnThe Happiness Waltz is filled with Rouse's thoughtful, delicate and infectious pop craft, a sound that has become his signature. The subtle grooves of ''It's Good To Have You'' and ''Julie (Come Out Of The Rain)'' blend seamlessly with the poignant ''The Ocean'' and ''Our Love'' and the jovial ''A Lot Like Magic'' and ''City People and City Things''. The common thread running throughout The Happiness Waltz is derived from a newfound wisdom that can only be the result of life-changing transitions. For Rouse, it is his loved ones who have provided the inspiration.

Kaya 35th Anniversary (2CD Deluxe Edition) - Bob Marley & The Wailers

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00 -1300

BOB MARLEY remains one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th century. His lifestyle and music continues to inspire new generations as his legacy lives on through his music. In the digital era, Marley has the second-highest social media following of any posthumous celebrity, with the official Bob Marley Facebook page having over 42 million fans, ranking it among the Top 25 of all Facebook pages and Top 10 among celebrity pages. His music catalog has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide since 1992 and his accolades continue, including an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1994), a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award (2001), multiple entries in the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2001).

This year marks the 35th anniversary of Bob Marley & The Wailers’ now classic, 1978 release, Kaya. To celebrate, we are releasing Kaya: 35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition an expanded, two-CD collection featuring 24 tracks, all completely remastered to the highest modern standards.
Included in addition to the original 10-song release is the B-side “Smile Jamaica,” plus a second disc featuring the highly sought-after, unreleased live show, “Live at Ahoy Hallen,” recorded in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on July 7, 1978. Packaged with the original artwork, Kaya: 35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition will come with a 23-page booklet that includes lyrics, rare photos, plus extensive liner notes.

Black Out The Sun - Sevendust

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00 -1300

Sevendust are back! The band return with the highly anticipated release of their ninth studio album BLACK OUT THE SUN.

Somehow, Sevendust grow stronger with each successive album. Their personal bond not only strengthens, but the music tends to get tougher and tighter as well. They don't stray from the bruising hallmarks of their patented style, but they also don't stick to a script either. They deliver what their diehard fan base has loved since day one, but they continue to challenge themselves in the process. As a result BLACK OUT THE SUN sees Sevendust at their most uncompromising, unwavering, and undeniable.

Tracklisting

Memory
Faithless
Till Death
Mountain
Cold As War
Blackout The Sun
Nobody Wants It
Dead Roses
Decay
Dark AM
Picture Perfect
Got A Feeling
Murder Bar

5 Album Set (5CD) - Natcha Atlas

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00 -1300

Limited five CD box. This set is a straight-forward repackage of Natacha s first five solo albums: Diaspora, Halim, Gedida, Ayeshteni and Something Dangerous. As a solo artist and as singer with Trans Global Underground, the Anglo-Egyptian singer has spent more than two decades fusing electronic beats with North African and Arabic music, finding links between seemingly disparate musical genres, exploring new and different sonic settings and working with a wealth of like-minded collaborators from across the world along the way.

The Alchemist: Best Of 1992 - 2012 (3xCD) - Goldie

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00 -1300

Regarded by many as the founder of Drum & Bass, Goldie is the ever popular British Electro artist, DJ, and actor. He achieved success in the late '90s with his UK top 10 album TIMELESS and its #15 successor SATURNZ RETURN that featured Noel Gallagher and David Bowie. He is also the founder of the pioneering Drum & Bass record label 'Metalheadz'.

The Alchemist: The Best Of 1992-2012 is a fantastic 3CD career retrospective; containing versions of Goldie's biggest singles as well as the brand new track 'Single Petal of a Rose.' Also included are his remixes of the huge hits 'Lego House' by Ed Sheeran, 'Milk' by Garbage and 'Isobel' by Bjork.

Tracklisting

DISC 1
Malice In Wonderland - Goldie presents Rufige KruI Know Who I Am - Goldie
Terminator - Goldie & Metalheadz
Menace - Goldie presents Rufige Kru)
Monkey Boy - Goldie presents Rufige Kru
Dark Rider - Goldie presents Rufige Kru
Sometime Sad Day - Goldie presents Rufige Kru
Shanghai Dub - Goldie presents Rufige Kru
Rhythm Killa - Goldie presents Rufige Kru
Special Request - Goldie
Babylon 2012 - Goldie presents Rufige Kru
I'll Be There For You - Goldie
Saint Angel - Goldie

DISC 2

Single Petal Of A Rose (New Track) - Goldie
Angel - Goldie
Freedom (Radio Edit) - Goldie ft. Natalie Duncan
State Of Mind - Goldie
Latin Skin - Goldie ft. Natalie Williams
What You Won't Do For Love - Goldie ft. Diane Charlemagne
Beachdrifta - Goldie presents Rufige Kru
Sunray - Goldie & J Majik
In My Soul - Goldie & 4 Hero (Internal Affairs)
Is This Real VIP - Goldie presents Rufige Kru
VIP Riders Ghost - Goldie
Sea Of Tears - Goldie

DISC 3

Inner City Life (Baby Boy's Edit) - Goldie & Metalheadz
Kemistry (Doc Scott Remix) - Goldie
Digital (Armand Van Helden Remix) - Goldie ft. KRS-One
Milk (Goldie's Completely Trashed Remix) - Garbage
Isobel (Isobel's Lonely Heart) [Goldie Remix] - Bjork
Believe (MJ Cole Vocal Remix) - Goldie
Lego House (Goldie Remix - Sticklebrick Edit) - Ed Sheeran
Swallowed (Toasted Both Sides Please Goldie Remix) - Bush
Temper Temper (Grooverider Remix) - Goldie
The Calling (Goldie Remix) - Roni Size & DJ Die
Chances (Alix Perez & Sabre Remix)- Goldie presents Rufige Kru
Something About You (DBridge Remix)- Goldie presents Rufige Kru

5 Album Set (5CD) - Gary Numan

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00 -1300

Limited five CD set containing five albums released by the Synth pioneer between 1981 and 1983. · In 1981, Numan announced his retirement from live performance, playing three farewell concerts at Wembley Arena just prior to the release of Dance. This show - presented here as Living Ornaments 81 Part 1 and Part 2 - offers a concise overview of Numan s meteoric career to date and includes versions of some of his best known songs. Also included are the studio albums Dance, I Assassin and Warriors.

Modern Vampires Of The City (CD) - Vampire Weekend

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00 -1300

The album title is inspired by the first line of Junior Reid’s song “One Blood”:Modern vampires of the city hunting blood, blood, bloooooooood The photo on the cover was taken in 1966 on one of the Smoggiest days in New York history. It was captured by photographer Neal Boenzi for the New York Times.

Ezra and Rostam, the songwriting team behind the band, worked more closely than ever on this album. Most songs began one of two ways: either with Rostam creating a piece of music that often included drums, bass, and chords and sending this to Ezra to write lyrics and melodies on top of, or with Ezra beginning the song by writing lyrics and melodies, sometimes chords as well, and the two of them sculpting the instrumental setting for the track around those. In the summer of 2012, the two traveled to LA to collaborate with Rostam’s longtime friend, and fellow producer, Ariel Rechtshaid. They brought with them writing and recording sessions from New York and Martha’s Vineyard. The three began to stride towards realizing the finished album and were later joined by drummer Chris Tomson and bassist Chris Baio. Drums and bass were recorded to analog tape at Vox Studios. Built in the 1930’s, it’s one of the oldest privately owned studios in Los Angeles. Those parts were then reintegrated with the sessions and further manipulated to create a synthesis of sound and tone, both old and new.

The album has a grandeur and romanticism evocative of the city where it was conceived. Church organs, deep synth bass, booming drums, choirs chanting in Latin are all combined with classic Vampire Weekend joyfulness and spry humor.

Monomania (CD) - Deerhunter

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00 -1300

New 2013 album ... their first with fresh guitarist Frankie Broyles! Nocturnal garage-pop 'n' hallucinatory glam-fuzz from the Georgia gods. Includes "Back To Middle".