The album of Shakira : "Oral Fixation Vol. 2"

Review : By R. Guardado "nicktony12"

This review is from: Oral Fixation Vol. 2 (Audio CD)
Oral Fixation V.2 is smart, creative, thoughtful, new, fresh, inspiring, daring, and breaks from the conventional mainstream pop sound. This album is not your one night stand plastic pop kind of album---it's really beyond entertainment for those who take the time to understand it. If you like dance music and carefree lyrics go to Madonna, Rihanna, Fergie, and yes Britney Spears. However, Shakira is something else--something above them in terms of actual meaning and art. This is directly due to the fact that Shakira is fully responsible for writing her own lyrics.

Therefore, it's not surprising that many don't like Shakira because of her unique and "new" take on the pop world. Yet, she continues to have millions of loyal fans that continue to support her and continue to show her that there are many out there who have discovered her beauty and this treasure called Oral Fixation V.2

Her lyrics are awesome but they are deep and full of hidden meaning.

1. How do you do? Is the first song in the album. It is a direct attack to the Catholic church. One of Shakira's memorable lines is :You've made mistakes/Well that's OK' cause we all have/But if I forgive yours/Will you forgive mine?

2. Illegal--is the 2nd song of the album. A memorable lyrics is: "You don't even know the meaning of the words "I'm sorry"/You said you would love me until you die/And as far as I kno you're still alive, baby/You don't even know the meaning of the words "I'm sorry."/I'm starting to believe it should be illegal to deceive a woman's heart."

3. Hips Don't Lie--I won't even go into this one. Everyone knows about this song.

4. Animal City---the most memorable lyric is "With you I feel safe/There's nothing to fear from us/Away from the fangs/The fangs of the world/I may be a coward but you are brave/And nothing seems so dangerous"

5. Don't BOther---there are several memorable lines but here my favorite "I'm sure she doesn't know/How to touch you like I would/I beat her at that one good/ Don't you think so?/She's almost 6 feet tal/She must think I'm a flea/ I'm really a cat you see/ And it's not my last life at all

6. The Day and the Time--The most memorable lyrics is "Well, we know/How empemeral life is/Disillusion takes what illusion gives/What's the use of make believe?/This is the day and the time/ I wanna believe that we may still have a chance/We took a leap in the dark/And I can see now/ How our shawdows have turn to light

7. The Day and the Time---"Once upon a time you and I/When we were dreaming easy/Fresh as limes and happy as a Sunday sky/There was nothing we could sell or buy/Cause all we really needed/Was our bare feet and a pair of wings to fly"

8. Hey You---"Hey you/Makin' an offer that/No one could ever refuse/Don't play the adamant/Don't be so arrogant/ Can't you see I've fallen for ya?

9. Your Embrace--"HOpe it isn't too late/To say 'I love you'/Hope it isn't too late to say/ That without you this place looks like London/It rains every day/Don't you know it, babe/I'm only half a body/Without your embrace"

I wanna go on but you get the picture. You will love this album. Just give it a chance.

Fate : by Dr. Dog

Review: By john hubner "hubner73"
If you're reading this, then you are familiar with Dr. Dog already, so please go buy this album. Buy several copies and pass them out to the uninitiated. Buy more copies and leave copies in your neighbors mailboxes. Buy even more and send them to our boys in Iraq, Afghanistan, and any other armpit of the world our soldiers may be. If you're new to Dr. Dog, please buy this album.

Then buy 'We All Belong', then buy 'Easy Beat'. And if you can, go see them live. This is an absolutely beautiful album. Army Of Ancients is like a conversation with a loved one long dead. Savoring every word, knowing at some point you will wake up and they will be gone. The Breeze, Hang On, and The Old Days come at you like an old photo album you thought was long lost in a fire years before. The Ark is like a lost Abbey Road song that Lennon/McCartney wrote in a alternate universe where they grew up in Philly instead of Liverpool...From first song to last, this is soul-cleansing music. Music only once heard in your dreams and in childhood memories that may or may not have happened...if music could save us, this would be that music...Dr. Dog, thank you!!!

7" : by Pinhead Gunpowder

This is a great return from a great band. While the recordings sound a bit muddy (even for Pinhead Gunpowder), the songs are great. It's pretty cool to get two version of On The Ave. as well. You can tell the songs were recorded analong... which is always a plus. All around, great release.

- Covered Like A Hurricane: A Tribute To Scorpions : by Various Artists

Unlike some tribute records, this one features the same instrumentalists on each track, only alternating vocalists. The most notable instrumentalist is George Lynch, who handles all lead guitar duties. Joining George are Steve Riley and Chuck Garric from LA Guns (on drums and bass) and John Morris from Dig (rhythm guitars).

Being that the band is the same throughout, I'll comment on that first. George sounds more like his classic self than maybe what one has heard on the last Lynch Mob record. His parts are interesting combination of his own take on the songs with the ocassional nod to the original parts. That said, I've not heard a single original solo copped note-for-note. The rest of the band is solid and the have a fairly fired-up approach to the material. I've heard some tributes where the rhythm section sounds like they are on the clock, but these guys sound like they are enjoying the recording.

Now for the vocalists. All 12 tracks feature a different vocalist, with all of them being from '80/'90's west coast rock/metal bands like LA Guns, Rough Cutt, Hurricane, Kix, Bang Tango, and Faster Pussycat. Also, John Corabi (currently of Union) and the ever-ubiquitous Kevin DuBrow (Quiet Riot) appear. Depending on your take of these vocalists with their regular bands I think will mold your impression of the individual tracks. "Big City Nights" with Kevin DuBrow is one bizarre track - it's supposed to be a "remix", but it really sounds like more very loud drums with the rest of the band in the background - not a highlight.

The main reason I give it 4 stars is the decent backing band and the great playing from George Lynch. To be honest, Lynch was the whole reason I gambled on this disc. If you like classic Lynch, you'll probably do fine with this disc. And it is classic Scorpions material, after all.

- Scorpion [Explicit] : by Eve

After Eve was featured on songs such as The Roots' "You Got Me", DMX's "Ruff Ryder's Anthem" (Remix) and the Ruff Ryders' "Ryde Or Die", you knew that sooner or later she would come out with a CD of her own. "Ruff Ryders' First Lady" was an impressive debut and it featured classic rap songs such as "Let's Talk About" w/Drag-On, "Dog Match" w/DMX and "Scenario 2000" w/DMX, The LOX, and Drag-On. The CD went on to go double platinum and it paved Eve's way to success in the rap game. Now she is back with her 2nd CD, "Scorpion". The first single, "Who's That Girl" is tight and it will remind you off her radio friendly songs of before especially "Got It All" w/Jadakiss on the Ruff Ryders' Volume 2 compilation. Eve shows a lot of versatility on this CD. She's rapping, singing, making you listen and making you think on different tracks of the CD. Swizz Beatz does his share as well but producers like Dr. Dre & Stevie J get a chance to represent as well, which is good. The songs to listen to are the Dr. Dre produced "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" w/Gwen Stefani and "That's What It Is" w/Styles of The LOX. It gives a listener a chance to see what things would have been like if she would have stayed with the good Dr. "Cowboy", "Scream Double R" w/DMX and "Life Is Hard" w/Teena Marie are tight songs as well. My personal favorite has to be the Swizz Beatz produced, "Thug In The Street" On this track, Drag-On, The LOX and Eve are on a lyrical free for all and Eve definitely holds her own next to her Ruff Ryder fam. Overall, this is a good CD from Eve and it shows her versatility in the rap game. She isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

- Another Piece of Metal: Tribute to Scorpions : by Various Artists

Details

* Original Release Date: March 6, 2001
* Label: Dwell
* Copyright: (c) 2001 Dwell Records
* Genres: Hard Rock & Metal/General, Hard Rock & Metal/Pop Metal, Pop/General, Classic Rock/Album-Oriented Rock (AOR), Hard Rock & Metal/Compilations, Classic Rock/General, Rock, Rock/General

- Karaoke - In the style of Scorpions - Vol. 1 : by Stingray Music (Karaoke)

Details

* Original Release Date: January 15, 2008
* Label: Stingray Music (Karaoke)
* Copyright: 2008 Stingray Music (Karaoke)
* Genres: Rock, Rock/General

- Scorpion Dance King : by Branscombe Richmond

Details

* Original Release Date: November 26, 2002
* Label: Lany 7 Studio
* Copyright: (C) 2002 Lany 7 Studio
* Genres: Pop/General, Dance & DJ/Dance Pop, Pop

- Scorpion : by Eve

Details

* Original Release Date: March 6, 2001
* Release Date: March 6, 2001
* Label: Ruff Ryders Records
* Copyright: (C) 2001 Interscope Records
* Genres: Rock/General, Rap & Hip-Hop/General, Rap & Hip-Hop/East Coast, Rap & Hip-Hop/Pop Rap, Rap & Hip-Hop/Gangsta & Hardcore

- A Tribute To Scorpions : by Various Artists

The words can't describe the joy I feel when I'm listening to this album. Ever track on here is worth listening to (except for the last one by S.O.D. which isn't even a minute in leangth). My favoret track on here is Sonata Arctica's cover of "Still Loving You." Buy it, buy it, buy it, buy it, buy it!!!!!!!!

- A Tribute To Scorpions : by Various Artists - Scorpions Tribute

Details

* Original Release Date: May 30, 2000
* Label: Deadline
* Copyright: (c) 2007 Cleopatra Records
* Genres: Hard Rock & Metal/General, Hard Rock & Metal, Pop/General, Hard Rock & Metal/Compilations, Hard Rock & Metal/Hard Rock, Rock/General

- Moment of Glory : by The Scorpions/Berliner Symphoniker

I have been a scorpions fan since I was first introduced to their style of hard, fast, guitar deity rock. Let me just say that after listening to this album, I have become a bigger fan. It's just too bad that the Scorps are on the tail-end of their careers, because I'm sure they could keep producing for their loyal fans. However in this day and age when most are thrilled with consuming smoothed-out synthesized teeny bop and bubble gum rock, it's hard for the *real* musicians to survive. My suggestion: Get as much of the Scorps as you can while they are still playing.

As for this album, it is spectacular. I look forward to acquiring the DVD of the performance in order to get its full effect. But for now, the album is great. Why?

First, the songs contain more sound. Any music listener can appreciate orchestra, and so adding those elements with some rock music really creates an interesting fusion of the two. Metallica was pretty successful with their effort, but Metallica's music was known for pure anger, speed, volume and agression. So when Metallica added the orchestra, only certain songs worked well, No Leaf Clover being one of them. This effort by the Scorps has matched more songs to the orchestra better than Metallica's effort. I do like the fact that Metallica's version with the orchestra puts Lars' drums in the forefront. One difference between the Scorps effort and Metallica's is that in Metallica's I get the sense that Lars is leading the orchestra, versus in the Scoprs effort, the conductor is leading the orchestra. However, despite the fact that the drums aren't solid enough in the Scorps effort, it still rocks - though I'd love to see Rarebell again.

Second, I *never* believed that Wind of Change, Rock You Like a Hurricane, and Send Me an Angel could be improved; but I was wrong. I have never heard a more well crafted peice than I hear in Wind of Change. And with the newly added and long overdue orchestral elements, this song will live forever. Adding the orchestra opens up that song and several others to a diverse, wide range of musical listeners.

Third, this album is great because it's a new, fresh sound from the Scorps, but yet manages to retain the old roots throughout. I was somewhat frustrated with the loss of Herman Rarebell as the drummer because while he was with the band, the tracks were all extremely tight, punchy and boomy. With Kottak we have a quicker, more electronic pop sound. But surprisingly, (as a drummer myself) Kottak fits very well in this setting.

I'm sure Amazon won't let me say much more, but you really need to get this album if you are a real fan. It will probably not be appreciated as much by those of you who were big fans during the mid to late 70's, but for the younger generation interested in newer music, this album will work for you. This album will also appeal to more mature listeners who expect more from music than just loudness.

Try it, I'm certain you will be surprised.

- Unbreakable : by Scorpions

This album will not disappoint life long Scorps fans (such as myself) and it will (hopefully) draw in a lot of new, younger fans. However, I think it is important to listen to the CD more than once to truly appreciate the effort the guys put into creating this great collection of music.

First and foremost, let it be said that the MUSIC is flawless THROUGHOUT the CD. The compositions are pulsing, pounding, rhythmic (yet melodic) masterpieces. Absolutely CLASSIC Scorps guitar work with solid drumming from James Kottak and great bass-playing from Pawel Maciwoda and assorted "guest bassists". There isn't one negative thing I can say about the musical composition or actual playing. This music WILL make you move!

That being said .. after my first "listen" to the lyrics, I gave three songs an "A+" right away: "Maybe I Maybe You"; "Someday Is Now" and "Remember the Good Times". James Kottak does some of the writing on this CD and his lyrics add a lot to the mix. His off-beat style is perfect to keep the Scorps "up to date". Fans of the 1980's group "The Hooters" will recognize the name Eric Bazilian who contributes to "Remember the Good Times" which is one of the best Scorps tunes I've ever heard. (still love ya Eric!)

Initially, I thought the other songs ranged from "quite good" to "pretty good" .. until I listened to the CD a second time. Klaus' own backing harmonies are fantasic and songs that sounded a little "rhymie dimie" the first time around really grew on me almost immediately. "She Said" is a gorgeous ballad, "Love Em or Leave Em" has a great beat and great harmonies and "New Generation" is a foot stomper.

Overall, my whole impression of the CD DRAMATICALLY improved after my second "listen". I have now had the CD in my player for four days straight and I just keep it on "repeat". The Scorps really did deliver what they promised to their fans and I only hope they get enough radio airplay to encourage the "arena comeback" that they so richly deserve.

- Unbreakable : by Scorpions

This album will not disappoint life long Scorps fans (such as myself) and it will (hopefully) draw in a lot of new, younger fans. However, I think it is important to listen to the CD more than once to truly appreciate the effort the guys put into creating this great collection of music.

First and foremost, let it be said that the MUSIC is flawless THROUGHOUT the CD. The compositions are pulsing, pounding, rhythmic (yet melodic) masterpieces. Absolutely CLASSIC Scorps guitar work with solid drumming from James Kottak and great bass-playing from Pawel Maciwoda and assorted "guest bassists". There isn't one negative thing I can say about the musical composition or actual playing. This music WILL make you move!

That being said .. after my first "listen" to the lyrics, I gave three songs an "A+" right away: "Maybe I Maybe You"; "Someday Is Now" and "Remember the Good Times". James Kottak does some of the writing on this CD and his lyrics add a lot to the mix. His off-beat style is perfect to keep the Scorps "up to date". Fans of the 1980's group "The Hooters" will recognize the name Eric Bazilian who contributes to "Remember the Good Times" which is one of the best Scorps tunes I've ever heard. (still love ya Eric!)

Initially, I thought the other songs ranged from "quite good" to "pretty good" .. until I listened to the CD a second time. Klaus' own backing harmonies are fantasic and songs that sounded a little "rhymie dimie" the first time around really grew on me almost immediately. "She Said" is a gorgeous ballad, "Love Em or Leave Em" has a great beat and great harmonies and "New Generation" is a foot stomper.

Overall, my whole impression of the CD DRAMATICALLY improved after my second "listen". I have now had the CD in my player for four days straight and I just keep it on "repeat". The Scorps really did deliver what they promised to their fans and I only hope they get enough radio airplay to encourage the "arena comeback" that they so richly deserve.
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- Face The Heat : by Scorpions

Just sample that Alien Nation track and tell me that it isn't rock/metal! This is REAL rock people! The music itself for Alien Nation totally kicks ass and the melody is mind blowing!

No Pain No Gain is another awesome rocker where everything just comes together perfectly! This is awesome metal here!

Ship Of Fools is another masterpiece which features an Opera singer!

I love all Scorpions albums and this is no exception! All these songs are just as good as all their other stuff! Awesome lyrics, awesome melodies, just awesome music!

The whole CD is rock and it's worth it for the Alien Nation song alone which has one of the most awesome guitar solos and hooks ever! Any Scorpions fan needs this CD in their collection, it's a must have!

- The Beatles Tribute Project: Volume I : by The Beatles Tribute Project

Details

* Original Release Date: April 2, 2007
* Label: Titan Music Inc, D/B/A Titan Tribute Media
* Copyright: (C) 2007 Titan Music Inc, D/B/A Titan Tribute Media
* Genres: Classic Rock/British Invasion, Pop/General, Classic Rock/General, Pop/Oldies, Pop

- A Salute To The Beatles Vol.1 : by The Sounds Of The Beatles

Details

* Original Release Date: October 5, 2006
* Label: Suite 102
* Genres: Rock, Rock/General

- A Salute To The Beatles Vol.2 : by The Sounds Of The Beatles

Details

* Original Release Date: October 5, 2006
* Label: Suite 102
* Genres: Rock, Rock/General