Advantages: she has put countless energy and talent into music
Disadvantages: none

...was the orator. ♫At thirteen years of age, Aretha became an unwed mother. By 17, she had two sons and lived in Detroit however, she had a future in New York so in 1960, her grandmother took care of the children while Aretha travelled to Manhattan. After recording demo tapes and attracting national attention, she was signed up by Columbia Records. It was here that Aretha was encouraged into pop music territory rather than R&B. Columbia produced ten albums but only one pop hit in six years. ♫ In 1966 her contract with Columbia expired, she was signed by Atlantic Records and rediscovered her R&B roots. In the three years that followed, Aretha sold millions of albums that had numerous top 20 gospel-crossover hits such as, ‘respect’, ‘baby I love you’, ‘since you’ve been gone’ and ‘think’. (four of my personal favourites!) ‘Respect’ won Aretha... Read review

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Advantages: Another notable talent to come from Oz
Disadvantages: Where did they go? Another band gone in a flash...

...writing and diverse, instrumental capabilities. Perhaps the track that we familiarise ourselves with the most from this album is the thunderous 'To The Moon And Back,' which comes complete with all the rock slants that Richard Marx would have experienced if he had stayed with a decent recording label. First released whilst the rest of the world was asleep one day in September of 1997, it totally passed the world by. If only the volume perhaps would have been set at a different number (Nigel Tufnell from Tap could have helped out here) as strangely, it flopped at number 55. This dramatic piece full of depth, angst and masses of fading violins should have produced more venom than it did the first time around. Thankfully Columbia saw sense and re issued the single in August the following year and the result was a violent elbow up to number... Read review

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Advantages: He is possibly the greatest lyricisist in the game
Disadvantages: He does not go on enough tours

...Heralded instantly as one of New York's leading rapping voices, Whether calling himself 'Nasty Nas' 'Nas Escobar' 'Nastrodamus or god son. The self aclaimed King of New York has battled many people including Jay-Z, who vied with nas for the thrown after the death of Biggie in 1997. Nas has worked with legendary producers like DJ Premier, Large Proffesor and Pete Rock and hitmakers like Timbaland and Dr Dre and undergroung favourites like Swiss Beatz, Megahetz and the Alchemist. Nas has also worked with leadingvideo directors like Hype Williams and Chris Robinson, which produced videos for songs like Hate me now, One mic and I can with dramatic flair. Through the ups and downs Nas continues to mature as an artist from a young street disciple to a humbled godly teacher. Columbia Records heard Nas on a song and signed him... Read review

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Advantages: A masterly diverse journey through musical styles
Disadvantages: None

...Wyclef Jean “The Ecleftic - 2 Sides II A Book” Columbia After falling in love with a masterly piece of R&B called “911”, my girlfriend told me that she must buy the song, despite not knowing the artists. So being a top guy like I am (and knowing how to bank loads of browny points) off I went to my local CD shop and invested in Wyclef Jean’s “The Ecleftic - 2 Sides II A Book” on the strength of one song. With that sort of ‘look what I’ve done for you darling” smugness on my face I played the tune on my Kenwood and instantly went up a couple of levels in her good book. (Pathetic I know, but it worked). I then played the whole CD and sat astonished at what I was listening to. A piece of musical brilliance. Whether you are a hip-hop fan or not, if you admire good music and pure talent you will appreciate this offering from larger than... Read review

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Advantages: Simply great music.
Disadvantages: Original band members now gone.

...Released in 1994, Definitely Maybe stormed the UK charts and slapped the blue side of Manchester all over our faces. We were confronted by two brothers who from nowhere demonstrated what an attitude problem is all about. The original line up of Oasis gave us the Beatles, Rock, and bad fashion sense all rolled into catchy 5-minute tunes that would propel them to the front line of Brit Pop. CD: Rock ‘n’ Roll Star Shakermaker Live Forever Up In The Sky Columbia Supersonic Bring It On Down Cigarettes & Alcohol Digsy’s Dinner Slide Away Married With Children Oasis Line-up: Liam Gallagher - Vocals Noel Gallagher - Lead Guitar & Backing Vocals Paul Arthers - Rhythm Guitar Paul McGuigan - Bass Guitar Tony McCarroll - Drums The CD sleeve shows the band members in interesting poses, demonstrating that they are not just... Read review

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Advantages: Great selection of tracks
Disadvantages: Might seem abit repetititve to some.

...Critically acclaimed, personal with her songs, Pink is the ultimate pop star. Her last album ''Misunderstood'' sold millions of copies worldwide. ''Try This'' is Pink's third album, where she collabrates with soul singers and the lesser known 'R' and 'B' stars. ''Try This'' is a great pop album, the songs are very varied. There are songs on here which will make you laugh and dance - musical genred tracks of pop, rock, soul and 'R' and 'B' provide an excellent third album from Pink. ''Trouble'' is a soul, jazz pop song. This songs seems very personal, the vocals very loud as is the music which certainley shows the good production on this track. ''God Is A DJ'' is very soul, and gentle pop. It has a very catchy chorus, and a nice soft rhythm. Excellent listening. ''The Last To Know'' is again pop but more of a 'R' and 'B' track. Has... Read review

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Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

...surprise in a spoken word bridge from none other than Iggy Pop…."Hells Kitchen is a DMZ…I'm never coming back...it's Disneyland in a trash can, baby...it'll give you a heart attack..." before a plunge into more 100 notes a second guitar work. Great stuff. Automatic Blues (3:51) The worst song on here is also thankfully the shortest, a throwaway tune that was the B-side of Fire Woman, widdly-widdly goes the guitar and Astbury assures everyone that he ain't no sucker, he ain't no fool, he's just talking about the automatic blues. OK we've heard enough thanks. Soldier Blue (4:36) Soldier Blue is a "real heavy dude in a killing mode…." a great guitar line on here and big drumming at the finish. Not the best song on the album but good, hard, solid rock. Wake Up Time For Freedom (5:17) The Cult always like to leave a big sing... Read review

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Advantages: FM quality broadcasts
Disadvantages: "Rock" would be a misuse of the word

...Living in Lancashire the main local radio station listened to is probably Rock FM, and from its name it would sound a good station for me to listen to with my taste in music (i.e. rock) however if I do tune in and listen, as I do at work (its not my decision what we listen to) I find that this station with the word rock in its title plays music as far from that genre as is physically possible. In the time I listen to the station on a weekly basis I probably hear about 2 rock songs in total, and these are the most commercial, pop orientated rock songs currently available. The main focus of the radio station seems to me to be in the dance, R 'n' B and pop areas of music, none of which genres appear in the radio stations name... If thats the type of music you like then "Rock" FM is a good radio station for you to listen to, but for me, im... Read review

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Advantages: Raw energetic brit pop at its best and most fresh.
Disadvantages: You might still feel a sense of disloyality if you were a blur fan.

...From the impatient and exciting first few chords of "Rock n Roll Star" to the almost irreverant "Married with Children" this is a real rollercoaster (or dare i say helter skelter) ride of an album. It seems to scream of belief that they knew that this would define a generation, and define it, it certainly did. Easily the best Oasis album to have been released to date and understanably so as this was the produce of years of writing by main song-writer Noel Gallacher whilst he lived out his teenage years in the not-so respectable areas of Manchester. Personally this album changed my entire outlook on music, in an era just after the death of grunge where one hit wonders and monotonous dance tracks topped the charts this album was released and blew everything else away!! It is so hard for me to pick my favourite tracks on this album... Read review

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Advantages: Good wide selection, split into catagories
Disadvantages: Way too high prices

...Since I discovered the cheapest, and therefore my most favoured record store, Rock Box, I use HMV for one thing, and one thing only - cooling down in the summer. Taking full advantage of their air conditioning system, I take a look around at their impressive wide selection of CD's, which I must compliment them on - Their wide selection. However, all of the CD's in their store I can pick up much, much cheaper at the Rock Box. What is good, however, about HMV, is the way that they split their vast collection of CD's into descriptive categories, for example: Metal Punk Rock & Pop R n' B etc.. etc... etc... which makes the store very easy to look around. Just a shame about the prices. Overall, I never buy anything from this store, due to the ridiculously high prices on every CD they have. They do sometimes have Sales, but even the sale... Read review

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