Cure 1997

It is appropriate that the first recording of the first version of Forza should come from St Petersburg, where the work had its premiere in 1862. However, whilst the premiere was predominantly an Italian affair, this set is given entirely by Russian artists. The differences between this version and Verdi's 1869 revision for La Scala are marked: they are delineated by two essays in the accompanying booklet but even more discerningly in Julian Budden's indispensable The Operas of Verdi (in this case Vol. 2, Cassell: 1978). So it isn't necessary for me to rehearse here all the changes (even if I had the space to do so), only the main ones.

Exile is probably the first album to see him firmly on the path, following-up the career reviving and direction-resurging Sacrifice. Musically dark and moody with touches of techno and goth, it's the lyrics here that truly set the tone. It's a far cry from some of his earlier work. After his innovative and coherent music of the late '70s and early '80s, Numan had taken up residence in the musical doldrums with album after album of little consequence. 1994's Sacrifice proved he wasn't too far gone, and was a wonderful return to relevance. Exile, meanwhile, took it all a step further, and is likely where he would have ended up had he never gone astray in the first place. By far his darkest album up to that point, and a wonderful contrast to the dark-in-its-own-right Replicas from 18 years earlier.

Julie London - Sophisticated Lady & For The Night People
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC (tracks): 335 MB | Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: EMI # 7243 4 94992 2 5 | Country/Year: UK 1997, 1962/1966
Genre: Jazz | Style: Vocal

"…This album is a must-have for Julie London fans and thankfully she worked with Bagley again on the more upbeat but no-less-languid Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast, which keeps the guitar heard here, but after the title track replaces the strings with a jazz organ and horn."

Strapping Young Lad's guitarist leader embarked on a solo career with the enigmatic "Ocean Machine", an album of encompassing, thrilling atmospheres in which pop, metal, progressive metal, trash and nuances of electronic blended together in a very balanced way. This atmosphere somewhat recreated the best from the 80's decade: from the mainstream heavy metal scene to the dark atmospheres of The Cure or the frantic energy of Queen. To his virtuous and somewhat prolific guitar work in the vein of Steve Vai or Joe Satriani, Devin Towsend added his inspired gift for creating remarkable melodies and outstanding choruses, while his dynamic voice and obtuse lyrics gave the album the necessary melodic profoundness…

Exile is probably the first album to see him firmly on the path, following-up the career reviving and direction-resurging Sacrifice. Musically dark and moody with touches of techno and goth, it's the lyrics here that truly set the tone. It's a far cry from some of his earlier work. After his innovative and coherent music of the late '70s and early '80s, Numan had taken up residence in the musical doldrums with album after album of little consequence. 1994's Sacrifice proved he wasn't too far gone, and was a wonderful return to relevance. Exile, meanwhile, took it all a step further, and is likely where he would have ended up had he never gone astray in the first place. By far his darkest album up to that point, and a wonderful contrast to the dark-in-its-own-right Replicas from 18 years earlier.

If You like old school, then this it the one for you. This collection has many years to choose from. Brings back all the old memories. Part of Time Life's "Solid Gold Soul" series.