H.H. Scott SMV300 Vertical 3-CD Stereo System (Silver/Black)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $169.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Dressed to impress but rich in features and healthy in sound, H.H. Scott's three-CD SMV300 stereo system is truly unique in not only appearance but construction. The CD changer employs three independent CD drives configured in a vertical array. The fact that the drives operate independently--with separate servo mechanisms and separate lasers--lets it switch between discs quickly, rather than having to first stop playback on the first disc, load a new disc, and then find and play the first track from the next disc, as most carousel changers operate.

The system's stylish, motorized door is designed to slide smoothly open with the press of a button from the remote or from the system's front panel. Even better, however, is a cool palm sensor that will open the door as soon as it senses your hand moving toward the door.

Playback options include repeat (one track, one disc, or all discs), random play, 40-track memory sequencing, and intro scan (which plays the first 10 seconds of each track to help you find the one you want). Drift off to sleep using the handy sleep timer, and/or set the system's alarm clock to wake you up to your favorite radio station or a motivating CD.

Three defeatable preset equalizer settings (rock, pop, and classic) let you tailor the sound to your taste, your program, or your room. A stereo analog (left/right RCA) auxiliary input lets you hook up a second source such as a cassette deck, minidisc player/recorder, or MP3 player, and a choice of stereo analog and digital (Toslink optical) outputs facilitates connection with a CD recorder, MD recorder, or cassette deck.

What's in the Box
Main CD player/amplifier unit, 2 speakers, a remote control, a user's manual, and requisite cabling ... Read more

Features

• Palm sensor opens CD door when your hand is near; includes full-function remote control
• CD/amplifier: 7.5 x 20.3 x 8 inches; speakers: 6.3 x 14 x 6 inches (W x H x D)
• 3-CD changer and AM/FM stereo radio with PLL synthesized tuning; auxiliary input and output (including optical digital-audio)
• CD features repeat, random play, skip search, and 40-track programming
• 3-preset electronic equalizer (rock, jazz, classic) lets you tailor the sound to your taste, program, or environment

Reviews (14)

Almost perfect stereo
I bought my Scott stereo from Amazon and I've had it for over a year now.I got it because it looked cooler than all the other square stereos out there and was cheaper than Sharper Image.It looks cool sitting in my room and I get compliments about how it looks all the time.Putting aside looks, it's a pretty good stereo. I'm a girl and don't really need all the fancy stuff that most guys do.It's got decent bass and it handles pretty well when I'm angry and have it on full blast.Radio reception is okay without the radio antenna.The motion sensor cd doors is cool, but you can't close it the same way.I've got 2 complaints, the cd player itself and the remote.After about 4 or 5 months of use, the 1st cd went weird.It would play sometimes, sometimes not.After about another month, it totally quit working.Now the 2nd cd is starting to do the same thing.It'll play cd-r's sometimes, other times not.I love the remote control, I've dropped it so many times and it still works.My beef is, when i can't find the stupid thing, it's frustrating trying to play cds on the stereo itself.On the stereo, there are not enough cd player functions.It's pretty good cd player for the money, but if you want something that's going to last many years, spend the extra money and get something nicer.

Avoid the hassle
I recently received this stereo as a Christmas gift.Two months after Christmas, it arrived.To my dismay, the first CD wouldn't play.It wouldn't even recognize a CD was in it after a preliminary spin of all 3 discs.While it is a pretty stereo to look at, it seems like a lot of people had similar problems with it.And for a CD player, it could be a lot more powerful.I'm returning mine for a gift certificate.

Don't buy--no customer service and poor performance
I bought this item at a 'major discount store' a few months ago--used it less than 15 times and it's now sitting in my garage--cannot get the on/off switch to flip to 'on'--power goes to the unit since everything lights up, but no audio from the CD player or radio.Contacted the manufacturer and they are NOT standing behind the warranty--it will cost me as much to ship to Texas for a 'possible repair' + the bench charge for a techie to look at it as it will cost to simply replace with something better.

... Read more

Asin: B00005OTGD
Subjects:  1. Compact Disc (CD Player)    2. cdplayer    3. Executive Microsystems    4. Compact System    5. Mini System    6. Mini Shelf System    7. Micro Component Stereo   

The Last Broadcast
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (04 June, 2002)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $13.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Last Broadcast sees Doves frontman Jimi Goodwin and multi-instrumentalist brothers Andy and Jez Williams soaring to new if perhaps grandiose heights. The thundering opening beat and spiraling guitars of "Words" are reminiscent of Ride at their bombastic peak, and "There Goes the Fear" has relentlessly reverberating Latin rhythms, New Order-influenced guitars, and sweeping vocals that are nothing less than breathtaking. Quiet reprieve comes with "M62," a delicate haunting reworking of King Crimson's "Moonchild," bizarrely recorded under the M62 flyover in Manchester, and its desolate atmospherics are juxtaposed against the remainder of the album. With the thrusting onslaught of "Pounding," the obligatory earthy rock of "N.Y.," and the joyous pastoral acoustic-led splendor of "Caught by the River," the Doves have crafted a liberating sophomore album that happily combines the uplifting anthemic essence of dance with good old rock & roll.--Christopher Barret ... Read more

Reviews (112)

A pleasant suprise
I picked this up after hearing "Satellites" on an internet radio station a couple of years ago.
I was more than pleasantly suprised. This is a truly unique set of songs...and it turned out that "Satellites" was one of the weaker songs. (not an insult, a compliment to the rest of the material)
High Points are "There Goes The Fear", "M62 Song"(an endorsement from a HUGE King Crimson fan)and "Pounding".
It's all excellent, though - there really isn't a weak song on here.
Still waiting for the follow up. Keep yer fingers crossed.

In a league with best albums of last 40 years!
I first heard my first Doves song in the canned music at a hamburger restaurant. It was "Catch The Sun" and I was hooked.I hoped and assumed that was the song's title as I searched Amazon's website, and lo and behold, I discovered the Doves.I bought Lost Souls and Last Broadcast at the same time.I liked every song on Last Broadcast the first time around.There are only a few albums in the past 40 years that you can honestly say every track is a delight and worthy of airplay (if only these guys had been around back in the glory days of FM radio in the early seventies! Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin watch out!).Anyway, this CD is definitely on the same par as the Moody Blues disk "In Search of the Lost Chord", the Beatles "Sgt Pepper", Led Zeppelin I, II or IV, the first CRosby Stills and Nash, or Pink Floyd's "Meddle", "Dark Side", "Animals", "Wish" or "Wall", or Genesis' "Foxtrot", "Trick of the Tail" or "Wind and Wuthering".Real music on real instruments! Definitely a must have!PS: I'm 49 years old and generally have trouble warming up to new music and new artists, but these guys are OK!

brilliant, original, but...
Being a huge fan of doves, travis, coldplay, snow patrol, oasis, stone temple pilots, blur, radiohead, supergrass, the strokes, the hives, the vines,rage against the machine, and all kinds of rock (except death metal, or gothic or metal), I find this album extremely interesting.Now, that doesnt mean that it's not weird, because it is.For example, I found the song N.Y. extremely (maybe too much) experimental and weird.It was a huge deception to learn that the acoustic version of N.Y. was not included in this album or anywhere.I heard the acoustic version of N.Y. and i absolutely loved it because you can hear Jimi Goodwin's (the lead singer's name, i think) voice more clearly plus the three acoustic guitars playing plus the harmonica solo sound like music from heaven.The problem is that I heard that song from a 'launch' sample two-song c.d. (that's when I became a true fan of the doves) and now my friend tells me he lost that c.d. (bummer!)

Despite that, the songs "There Goes the Fear" and "Words" and "Pounding" and "Satellites" are all catchy and brilliant songs."The Last Broadcast" is an o.k. song, too. I bought this album more than a year ago, and I bought it with bonus tracks.These bonus tracks are extremely good."Hit the Ground Running" sounds like Fatboy Slim's "Praise You", only less danceable and more alternative, and less repetitive.Well, "Far from Grace" is the best bonus track of the four.Its very melodic, moody, experimental, and most importantly,"lost-soul"-like (their first album, which I think is better than this one).Northenden is very folk-music-like, and its good.
I guess that I liked "Lost Souls" better because the songs sound more relax-like, more experimental, but softer and less weirder than "Last Broadcast".Plus, I could not find any "Catch the Sun"-like song in this album (I still think this is their best song).Plus no song beats the brilliant anddreamy "Break Me Gently", although "Satellites" is the closest to it.
I really hope that the doves bring something better than "last broadcast", something perhaps more catchy, less weird, more 'catch the sun'-like, and I know that they will, because the bonus tracks on 'last broadcast' prove that they can do better.
Nevertheless this is one of the best (british) alt bands that I have ever heard. ... Read more

Asin: B000065SXM
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

About a Boy
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 May, 1999)
list price: $14.00 -- our price: $11.20
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Will Lightman is a Peter Pan for the 1990s. At 36, the terminally hip North Londoner isunmarried, hyper-concerned with his coolness quotient, and blithely living off his father'snovelty-song royalties. Will sees himself as entirely lacking in hidden depths--and he'sproud of it! The only trouble is, his friends are succumbing to responsibilities andchildren, and he's increasingly left out in the cold. How can someone brilliantly equippedfor meaningless relationships ensure that he'll continue to meet beautiful JulieChristie-like women and ensure that they'll throw him over before things get tooprofound? A brief encounter with a single mother sets Will off on his new career, that of"serial nice guy." As far as he's concerned--and remember, concern isn't his strongsuit--he's the perfect catch for the young mother on the go. After an interlude of sexual bliss,she'll realize that her child isn't ready for a man in their life and Will can ride off into theHighgate sunset, where more damsels apparently await. The only catch is that the bestway to meet these women is at single-parent get-togethers. In one of Nick Hornby's manyhilarious (and embarrassing) scenes, Will falls into some serious misrepresentation atSPAT ("Single Parents--Alone Together"), passing himself off as a bereft single dad:"There was, he thought, an emotional truth here somewhere, and he could see now thathis role-playing had a previously unsuspected artistic element to it. He was acting, yes,but in the noblest, most profound sense of the word."

What interferes with Will's career arc, of course, is reality--in the shape of a 12-year-oldboy who is in many ways his polar opposite. For Marcus, cool isn't even a possibility, letalone an issue. For starters, he's a victim at his new school. Things at home are prettyawful, too, since his musical therapist mother seems increasingly in need of therapyherself. All Marcus can do is cobble together information with a mixture ofincomprehension, innocence, self-blame, and unfettered clear sight. As fans of Fever Pitch and High Fidelity already know,Hornby's insight into laddishness magically combines the serious and the hilarious.About a Boy continues his singular examination of masculine wish-fulfillmentand fear. This time, though, the author lets women and children onto the playing field,forcing his feckless hero to leap over an entirely new--and entirely welcome--set ofemotional hurdles. ... Read more

Reviews (286)

before the movie there was this book
Two immature men - about twenty years apart - help each other grow up. Marcus, 12, is a "weird kid" who dresses like an accountant on his day off, and lives with his suicidal, hippie
mum, Fiona, both of whom would fit in well in Amherst or Cambridge, Mass. Independenly wealthy Will scores high on a magazine cooleness test, yet despite no desire to become a smug married like his thirtysomething friends, finds life a bit lacking at times. Like Rob in "High Fidelity" he discovers that the fundamental need for human connection cannot be satisfactorily met by a film, CD or drug, no matter how "cool."

The only quibble I had with this book was that the dialogue could be dull - there were lots of "yeahs" and "nos" and "OK's." Also thought there should be chapter with Marcus after he becomes his generation version of "cool" or at least "unremarkable as any other kid."After agonizing through the early chapters with him, it's expected that he'll eventually comment on his metamorphis.

Great Book
I first noticed of this title when I watched the film which starred Hugh Grant as Will - the young at heart bloke who is thirty six with no cares in the world but for himself in a sort of funny way instead of the "you're such a pain in the neck" way. I wasn't aware that the movie was adapted from a book until one day I saw a colleague reading the book. I had a good laugh watching the movie and the book was even funnier. Such an entertaining book for a light reading. It was witty to the point that I constantly had a smile on my face. Grab it and you'll love it.

About two boys
Nick Hornby is perhaps the premier writer of lad-lit, the male counterpart of chick-lit. And "About A Boy" is one of his best novels, with its sensitive looks not only at male fears, but at how they relate to women and children. It's a far smarter, wittier book than you'd think.

Will is a single thirtysomething, self-absorbed and consumed with his own coolness, unattachedness and ability to live off his dad's song royalties. After dating single mom Angie, he realizes how to instantly give his sex life and image a boost: date single mothers, beautiful and desperate. So he invents a nasty ex-wife and a toddler son, and begins going to SPAT (Single Parents, Alone Together).

But when he meets attractive Suzie, he also meets the boy she's babysitting -- Marcus, a troubled, intelligent preteen who is picked on at school. Marcus's home life isn't much better -- his depressed mother has just attempted suicide. Despite Will's commitment to noncommitment, he finds himself slipping into the role of father and friend for Marcus.

Single moms, precocious kids, immature lads -- none of these things are terribly original. It's Hornby's way of handling them that is really original. And the way he wrote "About A Boy" gives unusual life to what could have been a TV-movie-of-the-week/lame-sitcom plot, with cliched characters.

Instead, Hornby has created a surprisingly mature book, by showing a realistic portrayal of an immature man growing up whether he likes it or not. But Hornby's quietly insightful prose is a little less self-consciously cool than in "High Fidelity," and it's also more focused on human experiences. And no, not just Will picking up single mums.

Will is a pretty accurate portrayal of men who work hard at being immature -- believe me, he's accurate. And that makes it even more satisfying to see him graduating into adulthood. Marcus's chapters are deeper, however, and it's this pensive kid who grounds the book. He may be young, but thanks to his saddening life, his mind is a lot more mature than Will's.

Postmodern Peter Pans and precocious preteens are at the heart of "About A Boy," Nick Hornby's sensitive look at the sexes and their children. ... Read more

Isbn: 1573227331
Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Literary   

Naked
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 June, 1998)
list price: $14.95 -- our price: $10.17
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Hip radio comedy fans and theater folks who belong to the cult of Obie-winning playwright/performer David Sedaris must kill to get this book. These would be fans of the scaldingly snide Sedaris's hilariously described personal misadventures like The Santaland Diaries (a monologue about his work as an elf to a department store Santa) seen off-Broadway in 1997. In a series of similarly textured essays, Sedaris takes us along on his catastrophic detours through a nudist colony, a fruit-packing plant, his own childhood, and a dozen more of the world's little purgatories. ... Read more

Reviews (348)

The Naked truth is . . . that I loved this!
NAKED is one of the best!Hmmm...Yes! Sedaris' first book BARREL FEVER left me aching for more of his self-deprecating sense of humor. Aching for over a year, in fact. His new book, although a bit more serious in tone, still is jam packed with the humor so twisted that we are sometimes afraid to laugh and enjoy it. Sedaris is a master at developing characters psychological foibles (In NAKED we are led to believe they are his foibles) in such a way that even the characters don't realize that they are slightly demented. " A Plague of Tics" is the best and most memorable of the seventeen stories partly because we can identify with the small boy's compulsive behavior, which he deems totally acceptable and has even driven his complacent mother to do the same. Most every person can find an awkward moment looking back through their childhood years and Sedaris seems to find the most painful ones and make them plainly and unabashedly comical.Must also recommend that you try and get a copy of THE CHILDREN'S CORNER by Jackson McCrae.Sedaris-like, but with an even deeper understanding of the human condition (or lack thereof).

Ouch!
I love David Sedaris.I wish I was as good a writer as David Sedaris. His work should be taught in college-level writing classes.All hail King David.That being said, Naked was a little harsh for me.I loved it and I laughed out loud, but there was plenty to make me squirm, too.Not that the underbelly of society shouldn't be funny, mind you.I'm just a little too sensitive for some of the "naked" reality of Sedaris' life.It's not a criticism of the book - I'd gladly hand over another $14.95 directly to the author as a reward for being so entertaining.It's just a comment that I haven't noticed as I scrolled through some of the reviews.

Laugh out loud
Sedaris makes me laugh out loud with stories you have to share with anyone who will listen.I've read all of his books (except Hercules) and this one and Me Talk Pretty are hilarious! ... Read more

Isbn: 0316777730
Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Form - Essays    6. General    7. Humor    8. Humorists    9. Humorists, American    10. Sedaris, David    11. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Seabiscuit: An American Legend
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (06 March, 2001)
list price: $25.95 -- our price: $17.13
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

He didn't look like much. With his smallish stature, knobbyknees, and slightly crooked forelegs, he looked more like a cow pony than athoroughbred. But looks aren't everything; his quality, an admirer once wrote,"was mostly in his heart." Laura Hillenbrand tells the story of the horse whobecame a cultural icon in Seabiscuit: An American Legend.

Seabiscuit rose to prominence with the help of an unlikely triumvirate: ownerCharles Howard, an automobile baron who once declared that "the day of the horseis past"; trainer Tom Smith, a man who "had cultivated an almost mysticalcommunication with horses"; and jockey Red Pollard, who was down on his luckwhen he charmed a then-surly horse with his calm demeanor and a sugar cube.Hillenbrand details the ups and downs of "team Seabiscuit," from early trainingsessions to record-breaking victories, and from serious injury to "Horse of theYear"--as well as the Biscuit's fabled rivalry with War Admiral. She alsodescribes the world of horseracing in the 1930s, from the snobbery of Easternjournalists regarding Western horses and public fascination with the greatthoroughbreds to the jockeys' torturous weight-loss regimens, including saunasin rubber suits, strong purgatives, even tapeworms.

Along the way, Hillenbrand paints wonderful images: tears in Tom Smith's eyes ashis hero, legendary trainer James Fitzsimmons, asked to hold Seabiscuit's bridlewhile the horse was saddled; critically injured Red Pollard, whosechest was crushed in a racing accident a few weeks before, listening to the SanAntonio Handicap from his hospital bed, cheering "Get going, Biscuit! Get 'em,you old devil!"; Seabiscuit happily posing for photographers for several minuteson end; other horses refusing to work out with Seabiscuit because he teased andtaunted them with his blistering speed.

Though sometimes her prose takes on a distinctly purple hue ("His history hadthe ethereal quality of hoofprints in windblown snow"; "The California sunlighthad the pewter cast of a declining season"), Hillenbrand has crafted adelightful book. Wire to wire, Seabiscuit is a winner. Highlyrecommended. --Sunny Delaney ... Read more

Reviews (599)

You'll be rooting for Seabiscuit!
Wow, can Ms. Hillenbrand tell a story! I was reading this in bed and my husband asked, "Why's the bed shaking like that?" Well, it was because Seabiscuit was pounding down the track and I felt like I was in the saddle. It was that real!

But this book is about far more than the action and excitement of the races themselves; it is about the people who came together to groom this fabulous little horse for success, and about the long-ago time when Seabiscuit's name was a household word.

Hillenbrand has exhaustively researched her topic, but she does something else at least as important: she breathes life into it!

Ironically a Human Story
"SEABISCUIT" is not so much a story about a horse, but rather a story about the lives of the men which that horse changes.

Red is an orphan of the depression. Scrapping to get by after abandoned by his parents, Red is half blinded as a "boxer" in human-versions of warehouse dog fights. He turns to horse racing. Although technically too big to be a jockey, he starves himself to make weight.

Buick is a bicycle repairman who stumbles into automobile manufacturing and makes a fortune. When he loses a member of his family in an automobile accident, the family crumbles.

Red and Buick are broken men who come together because of Seabiscuit. Buick is the owner of the scrappy horse, and his broken cowboy trainer insists Red is the only jockey with the scrappy fire to ride it. "SEABISCUIT" is as much their story as that of the horse.

Ironic that a story about a horse can end up being such a "human" story.

Judged on those merits "SEABISCUIT" is a gripping drama that is in the same league as "SECRET LIFE OF BEES, " "MY FRACTURED LIFE" and "THE DA VINCI CODE."

Tells A True American Story
Seabiscuit is the truest American story to ever happen. It's the American dream. The underdog becoming the biggest thing ever. The horse who enchanted America. I loved this story, you will too. Buy it and you'll see why. ... Read more

Isbn: 0375502912
Subjects:  1. Biography    2. History    3. Horse Racing    4. Race horses    5. Seabiscuit (Race horse)    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. United States    9. United States - 20th Century    10. History / United States / 20th Century   

18
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (14 May, 2002)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $13.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Following one of the most licensed CDs in history, 18 delivers more of the gospel samples and spiritual exploration that made Play Moby's breakthroughalbum. But keep your expectations in check. On 18 there is barely a body-rocker in the bunch. This is often a somber, melancholy disc, blanketed in thewashed-over cinematic orchestral melodies Moby's been fond of since his classic self-titled debut. It requires several listenings before the gems shine through theambient fog--and most depart from Play entirely. On the deceptively minimalist opening track, Moby delivers a powerful message through his thin littlevoice. "We are all made of stars," he sings, and indeed he's believable. MC Lyte punches out an infectious rap over old-school beat-box rhythms on "Jamfor the Ladies," offering one of the disc's few roof-raisers. "At Least We Tried" is a tear-jerking swan song of the highest order, and, finally, "The Rafters"resurrects early-‘90s house piano, which will make any of Moby's career-long fans pine for his earliest club hits. The diminutive DJ needn't have produced PlayPt. Two to keep his new fans engaged. Fortunately, his greatest talent for cooking up interesting sounds is still audible; you just need the patience to findit. --Beth Massa ... Read more

Reviews (257)

"Extreme" Ways
Does anyone know if the song "Extreme Ways" has an instrumental version? I love this song from "The Bourne Identity"'s credits. I prefer not to have the actual singing since the tune itself is awesome.

Can't touch Play in terms of song development but...
Play is one of my absolute favorite albums of all time. It is absolutely incredible how songs like Southside, Natural Blues, Find My Baby, and even something as seemingly simple as Rushing develop. The songs always felt like they were going somewhere... with PERHAPS the minor exception of the album's eighteenth track, "My Weakness." The long synths or violins (or whatever they were) in the background always drew out the music to great melodic levels. Here, on "18," they seem to, well, flounder around. They don't tend to build with the songs as well. They seem too indifferent, too neutral even. They seem to just be there for a relaxing feeling, which would be fine except that the repetition of such sound is too much. "In This World" makes a decent use of soulful vocals but I had the feeling Moby could've done something more for it. "In My Heart," though, brings back good memories of Play. It develops fairly well right up to that beautiful ending. Good to sing along to as well.

Where he really separates from Play and possibly even any music he's made before is "Great Escape." Strings and smooth, smooth vocals from Azure Ray. It's an extremely peaceful song. Maybe that's what I don't like most about "18"---it's basically completely peaceful, except for maybe "Extreme Ways." "Signs of Love" has nothing on "Porcelain" but it's a very sincere-sounding song from Moby. "Love & Strings" from the album 18: B-Sides, though, has basically the same music without vocals and with a faster tempo. It sounds slightly better. Now there's a problem here: Starting with "One of These Mornings" the album's getting a little repetitive. That line "And I'll be gone" repeats a bit more frequently than is necessary. Thankfully, this song is only 3:12.

Then it just gets strange with "Another Woman." It's somewhat hypnotic but "You've got another woman somewhere around..." repeating over and over isn't too soothing.
"Fireworks" is a nice break in the album just like "Down Slow" and "7" and "Rushing" were in Play. It's a good thing Moby chose to put "Extreme Ways" after this track because otherwise "Fireworks" would've sounded like just another slow track.

And now it's time to type about "Extreme Ways." It starts off a little slowly, actually. The main problem with this track is that Moby's too reluctant to venture outside of the soft sound of this album. The chorus is a bit embarrassing lyrically. Hell, it's mostly embarrassing lyrically. The guitar is nice but is overpowered dynamically by the other instruments and I'm not quite sure why. I hope it's not like that at concerts. It seems to be the Southside of this album, but it really can't compare to Southside.

"One thing's for sure... well we got soul." Or is it "Moby got soul"? Whatever it is, it's a pleasant sort of hip-hop dance distraction from the rest of the album and it's well-needed. MC Lyte raps and does a good job, and you can't go wrong with the voice of Angie Stone. I wish MC Lyte said more, though. She only has two verses in the song, and then the song just seems repetitive. Not as good as "Bodyrock" from Play because it lacks something in terms of instrumentals. I'm making a lot of comparisons to Play not only because there ARE a lot of musical similarities, but mainly because the albums have the same amount of tracks. And whereas it's clear in Play that the album is half-upbeat and half-downbeat, 18 is pretty much all downbeat.

"Sunday" develops nicely, with a good piano line. The part later in the song when the vocals change is especially notable. Then the album still gets slower, with the twelth track, "18" which won a Grammy for best instrumental track, which was kind of random. "18" is a very simple track, and it lacks the sort of generic drum part that Moby uses for songs like "Sunday," "In This World," and "One Of These Mornings." It actually might've deserved the award since the track is so incredibly relaxing.

"Sleep Alone" has the same sort of strange mood that "Another Woman" has. I don't particularly enjoy either of those tracks.

Then two nice songs in a row--"At Least We Tried" (which, ironically, quite a few Moby fans said didn't really fit in with the album) and "Harbour" with Sinead O'Connor's vocals. The vocals of the former hit you just like those of "Natural Blues." Genuine is the word for "At Least We Tried." Just when you think it's about to go nowhere, a synth sound that I don't think appears before this track on the album comes up. The best thing about this track is that Moby doesn't get lazy and repeat the same sample for the chorus each time---The singer sounds especially different after that new synth kicks in. With songs like "Harbour" you wonder why Moby even goes back to using his own voice when he can do so much with other voices.

"Look Back In" isn't much of a track. A nice refreshing song is the higher-BPM "Rafters" and then the album ends with "I'm Not Worried At All." It's a bit of a slow ending and also not too great of a track.

What's interesting is that "We Are All Made Of Stars" has very little to do with the rest of the album. It's a decent pop song.

Overall, it's good for relaxation but lacks action, which may or may not be a good thing depending on how much you like chilling out.

A more downbeat and uplifting album bores mainstream
I like this album, however, and like it from start to finish.It's solid and entertaining, but he doesn't really have songs in the mix that shred the tranquility.Overall, it just has a sunnier disposition and doesn't really even have the occasional dark mood track.That's what hinders this album from being as sucessful from the last one.What you get is still good, but it proves that people come down on you if they buy your album thinking they'll get exactly what they expect without hearing it.It also demonstrates the influence of Eminem in his put downs of him and his style.It's all good, but more mid-tempo.His choice of samples and guest vocalists is still excellent and the best song, in my opinion, is onethat he actually sings, "Signs of love." I think that's really an indication about why this album is more positive, he was in love with someone when he wrote this album. ... Read more

Asin: B000063S6Z
Subjects:  1. Ambient Techno    2. Club/Dance    3. Downtempo    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Techno   

Robbie Williams - Live at the Albert
by Robbie Williams
Average Customer Review:
DVD (23 April, 2002)
list price: $19.98 -- our price: $17.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Recorded before the U.K. release of Swing While You're Winning, Robbie Williams's renditions of pop standards on Live at the Albert are at once delightful and disorienting. It's long been known that Williams is enamored of the Rat Pack, and here he lives out an illusion of being one of them. Clearly the jaunty singer is having a ball. The production is impeccable, the chorus girls are beautiful, his voice is in fine form--even his sweat-soaked, cuff-linked shirt hangs on him perfectly. But often Williams's trademark sarcasm and well-documented insecurities overshadow his love of the music. The strangest moment of the show occurs during an intermission, when MC Rupert Everett quizzes the audience on how much they love Robbie Williams. Although delivered with a wink, the stunt is most un-Rat Pack-like. The show as a whole seems like a surreal dream in which Robbie is at once working out his self-doubt and living his fantasy. And on a very conscious level, that is exactly what he is doing. --Beth Massa ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Dolby

Reviews (51)

Simply Brilliant!
I'm worried I might have to purchase another copy of this DVD of Robbie Williams Live at Albert Hall because I fear I will wear this one out!Robbie is one of the most talented performers I've ever had the pleasure of watching. Unfortunately, America has yet to fully discover this amazing star.I had my reservations about Robbie singing swing classics on this DVD but not only does he pull it off but he does it better in some regards than the originals. Wake up America!! Discover this man! Don't miss out any longer!This man is a diamond. Well done Robbie!

GREAT ALLAROUND ENTERTAINER
Robbie Williams is a great entertainer. It is rare for a current music star to record and sing live songs from the Rat Pack era with such passion.
America. Please discover this man. He is fantastic.
This concert at Albert Hall captures Robbie singing at his best all the great swing songs from his album "Swing when your Winning". If you've never seen him live your in for a great time, Robbie is a born entertainer.
This Albert Hall show, the Knebworth concert and The Robbie Williams show are all must haves.
Robbie loves to entertain and he shows it with every song he sings whether swing or his current pop songs. they are fantastic.

FIRST TRUE ARTIST SINCE CLAPTON, QUEEN, BEATLES, ELTON J,...
It is true, like it says on the booklet "Europe's finest entretainer croon the world's most romantic tunes in England's loveliest concert hall".

So for those of us RW fans, you just want to know if the DVD was well produced. YES. EXCELLENT PICTURE AND SOUND QUALITY. BEAUTIFUL EXTRAS.

For the rest, the first two paragraphs are, once again, true, so you will not only love the DVD, but also turn into a RW fan.

Documented proof that RW is the best and most elegant voice in the world. Try the other side of RW as well and you'll love it(rock dj,etc...). Best in the world.

I just want to make a brief comment of the title for my review: Clapton, Queen, Beatles, Elton John, Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, were true artists who did it all, genius that had real talent, invented,composed, innovated, expressed feelings thru their music,ones with voice and others with instruments, by marvelous tunes & lyrics, and now ROBERT PETER WILLIAMS. Not like most artists of today, who are just "industry products", you know, just explode a "pretty face", throw it to the respective male and female markets and that's it. I truly recommend the aforementioned artists, of whom I am Fan,and see what I mean. I'm 25, obviously they're not from my era, but a true artist influence is always fresh and lasts forever. ... Read more

Asin: B0000640VD
Subjects:  1. Music Video - Pop/Rock   

Dirty Vegas
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (04 June, 2002)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Not exactly dance-pop as commonly defined by Erasure or the Pet Shop Boys, Dirty Vegas's self-titled album nonetheless fits into the genre. In fact, "trace-pop" is arguably the best definition, as it is the likely offspring of Madonna's Ray of Light and Electronic's seminal debut CD. Promising, yes, but the songs become rather indistinguishable from one another, mainly because the vocals--compressed and folky--lend a sameness to tracks that are otherwise diverse in tone and pace. About half the album really shines. "I Should Know" marries a thumping techno beat with a euphoric Disney-like wonderment. "7AM" boasts the best melody on the album. The instrumental "The Brazilian" showcases the song's strength underneath the homogenizing vocals. And finally, "Days Go By," featured in a popular car commercial, mesmerizes with synthesized bongos and cosmic rhythmic brush strokes.--Beth Massa ... Read more

Reviews (108)

A Good Debut!
This album is a nice collection of acoustic electronic pop. At times, all of the songs sound a little too similar (one of the reasons it's not a five-star album), which makes the album feel somewhat like a concept album.In addition, the lyrics are VERY trite at times-- annoyingly trite, which makes anyone feel guilty for listening to more than a few songs on here in one sitting.Still, this is fun club music that's a little more mellow than the pounding house-music of most dance clubs. If these guys continue to make music, we can expect some good things in the world of trippy techno.

small scale brilliance, large scale unambition
DV may have a brilliant name, and as it happens a solid album here, but they also stumbled on something quite new: a mixture of dance and synth, mixed with music essentially accoustic and driven by song-writing. Ministry of Sound meets Crowded House. This, coupled with the compelling beats and soundworld of the teriffic nightclub-like Days Go By, represents a missed opportunity. The combination of the above, plus more resembling the processes behind Days Go By, would probably propel DV to greater heights. As it is, there is an unwelcome feeling of caution, a fear of letting rip.

3's a deceptive score, but 4 was a tad high. Days Go By, Lost Not Found and Throwing Shapes are the pick, i.e. the more innovative ventures which would get any crowd going, with the dreamy and seductively sparse Candles being a delight. But I was left wishing there'd been more adventure and fliration with gung-ho beats and synths, rather than revert repeatedly to anglo-Crowded House. The two styles are both fine, but Days Go By next to, for example, Ghosts, is just bizarre. Diversity is a wonderful thing (ala Radiohead etc) but in this case it represents half-effort in either category rather than mastering both.

Dirty Vegas is the hottest electronica dance group out there
The Dirty Vegas album is an outstandingly, well done perfected album. This album covers all the basics to trance, to light guitaristic techno, soothing vocals, and a cool layback soundscape. The album is not to light, but not yet to heavy. The most heaviest track "Throwing Shapes", the only non-vocal (besides The Brazilian) trance/bass track on the album, while others such as the cool down dance tracks "Ghosts", "I Should Know", and the song from the car commercial "Days Go By". You also have a country-western dance track "All Or Nothing". Dirty Vegas makes sure they give their listerners a cover of what music is suppose to be.

What makes the album significant is that it's a male-dance group. The lead vocal singer (there's only but one), and he has a soothing voice which fits all of their styles perfectly.

If you're looking for a great album to play in your stereo, or even in your car, Dirty Vegas is the group for you. ... Read more

Asin: B000066HP6
Subjects:  1. Dance Music    2. Downbeat    3. Electronica    4. Pop    5. Progressive Trance   

Henckels International Classic 8-Inch Stainless-Steel Chef's Knife
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $61.00 -- our price: $39.60
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

A good chef's knife becomes your daily kitchen companion. It's used for everything from prepping steaks for the grill to finely mincing onions, and chances are you'll reach for it every time you cook--so it better be good. This lower-priced line from Henckels is a great value: excellent quality knives with their standard lifetime warranty. There's good balance, and the handles are a shade heavier than other lines, which some cooks will prefer. The 8-inch blade length is the most practical for multipurpose use, and regular sharpening will keep the stainless-steel blade razor-sharp. It's only minimally flexible, which makes it a great choice for vegetables such as potatoes and turnips. While it's dishwasher-safe, unless it needs sanitizing after use with raw meat, it's often easier to hand wash. --Jill Lightner ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime guarantee
• Multipurpose knife for a large variety of uses
• Fully forged blade, full tang and bolster
• Polypropylene handle with three rivets
• Dishwasher-safe

Reviews (6)

Nicely weighted
This mid-priced line of Henckel knives, called "Classic" by the company, is a full-tang, single-piece, three-rivet line with sturdy black plastic handles. The handles are notched at the end to prevent the hand from sliding off during use. Although they are not razor sharp right from the package, their edges are sharp enough for the average cook. According to Henckel, all knives in this line are dishwasher safe, but you should expect more rapid dulling under the harsh conditions.

The chef's knife is perfectly weighted toward the blade for efficient chopping, especially if you use the chef's technique of lifting the base of the blade but not the tip. The arc of the curve falls more toward the middle of the blade than it does on my other brands of chef knives, creating more of a rocking motion than a straight up-and-down. The handle is ample for even the largest of hands, but not so large to be inconvenient for those with smaller hands like me.

Too Heavy...
The quality of this knife is almost as nice as the German made Henckels.For the money it's OK.I personally feel that the handle is way too heavy....

One of my favorites
It's important to note that this knife is not made in Germany (the 4 Star, 5 Star, and Pro-S series are).

I started my good knife collection with a set of 3 of these International Classic knives. I later decided to get a larger set (9) of the 4 Star series, some of the finest knives in the world. However, I prefer this chef's knife over the 4 Star one. The grip is heavier and makes the balance a bit nicer.

For the paring knife, I much prefer the 4 Star one, so I wouldn't recommend the set of 3, but this knife is great. I use it all the time. If you are starting out on a knife collection, I recommend these things:
-a 4 Star 3-inch paring knife (or 2 if you are lazy with clean-up)
-this Chef's knife
-a cheap and large bread knife
-a medium sized 5-6in utility knife (good quality)
-a honing steel (good quality)
-a wood block to put them in (good knives should not be shoved into a drawer with other knives)
-[optional]a carving set of knife and fork, if you need carving utensils (I don't much)
I'd weigh the cost of these together against getting a more expensive set (if you are on a budget). ... Read more

Asin: B00004RFMT
Subjects:  1. Kitchen Knives    2. Cutlery    3. (Henckles)    4. Knives    5. (Knife)    6. Chef's Knives    7. (Cooks)   

Curved Glass Triple Frame (3x5")
Average Customer Review:
Misc.
list price: $12.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (3)

Love the Look of this Frame
I love the clean style of this frame - it's a simple approach to displaying a set of pictures.I've been amazed at the number of compliments I've gotten on it.The price is great too.

Beautiful
This picture frame looks great no matter what kind of style your home is decorated in.The pictures are easily slipped into the back pockets and as a result, are also an ease to remove.

A Beautiful Gift
This curved frame is very elegant and makes a lovley keepsake gift for any occasion.I recently prepared three pictures of my Daughter's Baptism and gave them as a gift to her Godparents as a reminder of her Christening. ... Read more

Asin: B00005OTTC
Sales Rank: 420
Subjects:  1. Home Décor    2. Frames    3. Home Decor    4. Gifts    5. Furio   

Rival GC8151-WN 1.5-Quart Treat Shoppe Electric Ice Cream Maker, White
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $39.99 -- our price: $34.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Recipes included; 1-year warranty
• 1-1/2-quart electric ice cream maker
• Gel technology means no ice or rock salt is needed
• Double-insulated freezer bowl
• Clear cover with ingredient feeder

Reviews (30)

Good ice cream, weak motor
We had good luck with the ice cream we made with this machine; however, the motor burned out after about five uses. The mixture was still quite soupy, too, so it wasn't a matter of letting it run too long. Very disappointing.

Terrible Design
I have had this ice cream maker for over a year now and I really wonder why I didn't return it.It's design is critically flawed in a number of ways...

1)The motor is far underpowered.As soon as the ice cream or sorbet begins to freeze the motor cuts out before sufficient air is introduced.

2)Once frozen, the bottom of the container swells just enough that you can't snap the lid and motor on.I actually cracked the top of mine trying to get the lid on--this is all before you add anything to thecontainer.

3)The hole that you pour the mix through once you start the motor is so small that if the mix is thick at all it is very difficult to get the stuff into the machine to freeze.

I have probably tried a dozen or better recipes (some from their book and some other tried and true recipes).I have never gotten satisfactory results.This is really a badly designed machine.

Happy Adventures in Ice Cream making!
I purchased this used after reading the reviews here, reading the manual on-line at Rivalcompany and I also reviewed other companies ice cream maker manuals on-line to compare and educate myself.I decided to get it because I like to cook, I am a great cook and I like to experiment with new creations! And of course I love ice cream!I felt that whatever problems I may encounter I could figure out the solution and make some great ice cream.I had an old rock salt ice cream maker back in 1987 that I had good results with, but hated having to use the ice and salt.So, I thought this new process of a freezable canister would be great! I have not been disappointed!! It makes great ice cream/frozen yogurt-all kinds premium, regular and low/non fat or no sugar added!! You can also make delicious sorbets! Once you get the basics down it is really quite easy and delicious.Keep in mind it is basically a 2 day process. The manual has 8 recipes with variations which is a great starting place to create your own delicious creations!If you are not a creative cook, but want more variety there are some great ice cream making books out there to help you.
Here are some helpful suggestions for making sure you get ice cream and not creamy cold soup!=)

(1) Crank up your freezer to the coldest setting and put the canister in the back of it.It also helps if you actually have food already in your freezer to keep the freezer temperature colder.
(2) Prepare the ice cream mix the day/night before and put it in your COLD refrigerator (Check to make sure your refrigerator is COLD -- if you have a 1-5 setting with 5 being coldest put it on at least a 3 or better on a 4 or 5) and don't put the ice cream mix into the freezer-otherwise you won't get ice cream you will get a chunk of frozen ice cream mix.
(3) If you make a premium recipe that calls for you to add egg into a hot mixture-do it really slowly otherwise you will get little fragmented chunks of scrambled egg in your ice cream. If this happens, just strain the egg bits out of the mixture while it is still hot.
(4) When its time to make the ice cream (shake the canister to make sure it is frozen and you do not here any liquid moving inside) -- hook up the ice cream maker in the COLDEST room in your place.If you have the heat cranked up in your house then the canister will thaw more quickly during the ice cream making process and you may get ice cream soup.
(5) Keep in mind the manual you get was written for both a 1 quart and a 1.5 quart machine.Since this is a 1.5 quart machine plan on the churning process to be at the longer 40 minute duration instead of 20 minutes.
(6) On the off chance you happen to get ice cream soup--just throw it in the blender with some ice cubes and make a frosty milk shake.
I hope this information helps you!Happy Adventures in Ice Cream making! ... Read more

Asin: B00005OTYL
Sales Rank: 9735
Subjects:  1. Small Appliances    2. Electrics    3. Ice Cream Machines    4. (Makers)    5. Kitchen    6. Ice Cream Makers   

Michael Graves Stainless Steel Bar Set
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $39.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (3)

Stylish....yet shoddy
Got this set for Christmas. My fiance and I loved the look of it! HOWEVER... the second time we used the corkscrew, it broke. And what do you do with a lovely matched set with a broken corkscrew? It rather spoiled my feelings for it, not to mention having such a lovely set, then handing your friends a gas-station corkscrew (that outlasted THIS one by 6 months and counting...)

Great product
My wife and I received this as a wedding present and it has worked great.The shaker is put together well with a pour spout that does not stick like other shakers.The Bottle opener is heavy duty and should last forever.The corkscrew is amazing, it pulls the cork out as you screw so you don't have to pull hard to get it out and then if retracts the cork by turning it the opposite direction after the cork is out.Works well with the wine rack.

The best ting since sliced bread :)
I wanted to write about this prduct because it has been a big help to me. I live in a residence room that is... well... cozy to say the least. I recieved one of these as a gift and I have used it on a weekly basis (not solely for myself I assure you). It all stacks together to ensure minimum space usage and its colour (or rather, lack there of) matches anything in my room. I just thought others should know how much I have enjoyed it. Thanks for your time! ... Read more

Asin: B000063SIV
Sales Rank: 28579
Subjects:  1. Bar Sets    2. Barware    3. (Bar Ware)    4. Bartending    5. Kitchen    6. Gifts    7. Michael Graves Kitchen    8. Entertaining    9. Dining    10. Michael Graves    11. Housewares