Service [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Service [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Track Listings

1. Limbo

2. S E T

3. The Madmen

4. S E T

5. Chinese Whispers

6. S E T

7. Youve Got To Help Yourself

8. S E T + Ymo

9. Shadows On The Ground

10. S E T

11. See Through

12. S E T

13. Perspective

14. S E T

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
2003 remastered reissue of the Japanese progressive rock act's 1983 live album. Epic.

Tracks:

The District Sleeps Alone Tonight
Such Great Heights
Sleeping In
Nothing Better
Recycled Air
Clark Gable
We Will Become Silhouettes
This Place Is a Prison
Brand New Colony
Natural Anthem

Amazon.com

Give Up, the debut release by this indie supergroup composed of Ben Gibbard from Death Cab for Cutie and Jimmy Tamborello from Dntel, is a smart, quaint, and often transcendent little pop record. The roots of the album lie in "(This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan," a woozy, gorgeous song recorded for the rad 2001 Dntel album Life Is Full of Possibilities. With Jimmy in L.A. and Ben in Seattle, the two simply mailed tracks back and forth, collaborating via (you guessed it) the United States Post Office. Lyrically it's far breezier and happier (though not too happy) than anything Gibbard had written up to this point for Death Cab. The music is an elastic, very smart update of synth-pop and the melodies crystal clear, while the backing vocals courtesy of Jen Wood and Jenny Lewis are spartan and pretty. The songs stick in your head for days at a time. Forget the tags that have been thrown up against this music--Poptronica? New new new order? Please just enjoy this album. It just might be a classic--but of what exactly, we're not quite sure. --Mike McGonigal

Album Description

The collaboration between Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard and Dntel's Jimmy Tamborello is an album of breezy electronic pop that updates classic 80s synth-pop with contemporary beats. The line-up also features Jenny Lewis from the band Rilo Kiley. Sub Pop. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

In Awe.......2007-06-12

One of the best albums I own. I've listened to it a thousand times and it just keeps getting better and better. I'm forever grateful to the person who introduced me to the band.

The District is alive with The Postal Service.......2007-06-04

Good 'ole rock is my primary music, but one day, about two months ago my friend hooked me up with some of The Postal Service's music. I never really listened to this Indie rock before, but now I'm searching for more music like it (Death Cab For Cutie, Figurine), and writing reviews on it. Honestly, this album is one of the best I've ever heard from any genre of music. Not until later did I realize that The Postal Service was merely a project of Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello's collaborations (dubbed The Postal Service because they traded ideas on the music through the mail). Since then I've checked out many other Indie bands but have yet to come across a better sound than this. It's simply the best.

Every album has its unique feel, and when I hear Give Up, I think of each song as a different story told from the downtown suburbs of some crowded city, maybe in the midwest somewhere. Starting with "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" which is one of the best tracks we have here, to "Such Great Heights" that you may have recognized from a UPS commercial. "Sleeping In" was my favorite from the beginning but the more I listened to the CD, the more I realized that every song was just another favorite. This album is like that, packed with hit after hit. "We Will Become Silhouettes" is such a good arrangement that I went out and bought the single for it, stumbling upon another great song, "Be Still My Heart". I mean, are these guys capable of making a bad song? Listen to Give Up a few times and tell me.

I know some of you might be lukewarm about 'that' kind of music, but try it. You just might be surprised, like me.

Ehhh........2007-05-27

There's nothing wrong with this record. The electo-pop melodies are good, not great. The vocals are delivered in a detached, bored monotone, a style that has become fashionable this decade. "Such Great Heights" and "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" are pretty good pop songs, but here's a guarantee:

You buy this record now and you will not have any interest in listening to it in a two or three years. The only way you'll hear any of these songs then is if you're too lazy to update your mp3 player between now and 2010 and one of these tracks pops up on random play mode.

My Nostalgia.......2007-05-16

I've been reading a lot of the reviews on this album, and I find some of the negative reviews to be completely absurd. Some claim that the synth sounds rough like ataris. If you listen carefully, you hear that the synth used has beautiful layers of crisp sound. To those who call it boring and monotone- I have to say that you clearly must think beauty only comes in exciting and flashy forms. This album has emotional depth that touched me during an uncomfortable and confusing time. It also introduced me to the wonders of Ben Gibbard. I don't understand the criticism of his vocals. No, he's not American Idol, but he's never off-key or harsh sounding like the Decemberists or Modest Mouse often are. The use of the half-speaking/singing style is the postal service's trademark and I enjoy it's uniqueness.

Some albums should be respected simply because of the way they have touched people's lives. I dislike it when people diss remarkable bands like the beatles. Half of the value of music is it's interaction with the people who listen to it- not just it's complexity, ingenuity or uniqueness.

That's not to say that this album is lacking in those things, but to say that some people are too quick to judge music and miss out on some things (like Give Up) that demand appreciation.

For fans of "organic" electronica fusion........2007-05-02

This is NOT something I expected to enjoy as much as I did. I'm giving it 4 stars for the sake of tilting rating inflation that is nearly universal on Amazon. I like it better than Ben's "Death Cab..." work but I must say I'm not very familiar with the whole discography as I tend to be leaning toward more "challenging" music these days. I would lump this into the "organic electronica" category... leaning slightly toward "baroque pop". This type of music can be hard to pin down. Layers of sound and beats are incorporated in such a way that it does not come off as jarring but soothing. Scratchy analog noise juxtapose crystal clear 80's style syncs. Seemingly random sounds, electronic "sparkle", brass, base, and ambient noise are reminiscent of "Kid A" yet more optimistic rather than dark or indifferent. (oddly or coincidentally they both have a song called "national anthem") Low-fi string samples and time changes lead to climactic emotional moments perhaps most notable on "Brand New Colony."

Ben's lyrics have always fit the scope of his work but seem overly trite on this album. This project is however less about the lyrics and there are plenty of stellar albums that are none the less week in this regard... "Neon Bible" immediately comes to mind. Alas, an album is much greater than the sum of it's parts. It's difficult to say weather or not this body of work is truly original or just a rehash of something that came before. None the less an album need not be groundbreaking in order to be imeniently enjoyable. I'm growing tired of reviewers suggesting that another artist did it "better" in a past album. While it may or may not be true it does not invalidate a new piece of work nor does it undermine a past one. In this day there really are no new genres.

Unlike most reviewers here I will say that not everyone will love of even like this album at all. It's not mainstream; indeed not everyone thinks that "Funeral" is best thing in the world either. Everything is subjective. That being said fans of "Radiohead", "Arcade Fire", "Sufjan Stevens", "Idiot Pilot", later "Of Montreal", and many other other experimental electronica fusion or "new wave" albums may very well find a place for this in their collection. At least give it a listen and leave your bias at the door.

Average customer rating:

May I present the birth of La Shaki Rubia! [translation: Blonde Shakira]
Great cross over!
PODEROSA EN AMBOS IDIOMAS!!!
A guilty pleasure
Excellent Sound, a Good First Crossover!

Laundry Service
Shakira
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Oral Fixation Vol. 2
Fijacion Oral vol. 1
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Dónde Están los Ladrones?
Hips Don't Lie, Pt. 1

ASIN: B00005R2M3
Release Date: 2001-11-13

Tracks:

Objection (Tango)
Underneath Your Clothes
Whenever, Wherever
Rules
The One
Ready For The Good Times
Fool
Te Dejo Madrid
Poem To A Horse
Que Me Quedes Tu
Eyes Like Yours
Suerte
Te Aviso, Te Anuncio (Tango)

Amazon.com

Colombian superstar Shakira's first English-language disc, Laundry Service, carries the pointed credit "Entire Album Produced by Shakira." That might be a signal to U.S. fans who helped two of her previous discs go platinum under the media radar--a sign that this planned breakthrough has more to offer than the input of a score of image makers and outside writers. And it does; even the occasional clunky lyric comes directly from her overflowing heart. Laundry Service's meld of danceable pop and rockier ideas and textures follows the similar path of the singer-songwriter's previous work. Indeed, for all its high-end production values, the record is ultimately one of the least glossy crossover vehicles imaginable. Despite an occasional lean toward Celine Dion territory ("Underneath Your Clothes"), it has a freshness that's sure to win over new listeners even after the first single, the sly "Whenever, Wherever," has reached the saturation point. While still not fully formed as an artist, she's getting close to something of her own--something that may flower after she dumps the vocal Alanis-isms. For now, it's still a pleasure to watch her grow. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

May I present the birth of La Shaki Rubia! [translation: Blonde Shakira].......2007-07-18

When I first heard this album, it took me a while to adjust to Shakira's distinctive bent, edgy intonation and raw yowling, along with pure, unbridled passion. The year was 2001. Shakira Mebarek had already spent years as a well-known singer/songwriter in Mexico, Central and South America. It was time that the Yanquis get acquainted with her [i.e. music lovers in the United States]. So, Shakira penned her English-language debut, LAUNDRY SERVICE [later released as SERVICIO DE LAVANDERIA, to her Spanish-speaking audience]. Her combination of Latin, rock and Arabic rhythms proved just as infectious in English (one of the three languages she speaks fluently) as in Spanish.

Some of the best songs on this album include "Objection [Tango]," with a Spanish version "Te Aviso, Te Anuncio," and "Whenever, Wherever," with it's spanish counterpart, "Suerte." What's more, Shakira showed her range as a soulful pop singer in slower ballads like "Underneath Your Clothes," and "The One." What's more, who can forget her sultry, sexy "Que Me Quedes Tu"? This intelligent and accomplished singer [then twenty-four years old] showed us her singing chops and her true ability to connect audiences of all backgrounds and lanaguages together with her tunes. Though, I must say that, if pressed, her best album by far is DONDE ESTAN LOS LADRONES? [her 1998 release], LAUNDRY SERVICE is a very appealing CD to own. I definitely reccomend it, six years later.

Great cross over!.......2007-05-11

i have been a shakira fan long before she decided to crossover to the american market and this is an excellent way to do so....i love hearing the english version of ojos asi and getting to know shakira in a different light and by knowing all the words she's singing and the meaning behind them.

PODEROSA EN AMBOS IDIOMAS!!!.......2007-05-06

Shakira siempre fue mi artista latina favorita; es increible lo que alguien con gran talento puede hacer cuando tiene una gran confianza en si mismo y gente que lo apoye y crea en el; este es para mi el mejor disco de Shakira, donde ella lo ha entregado practicamente todo; canciones como TANGO, SUERTE (WHENEVER) y TE DEJO MADRID son autenticos bombazos de puro rock; lindas baladas como UNDERNEATH YOUR CLOTHES, YOU'RE THE ONE, melodias pop impresionantes como FOOL, QUE ME QUEDES TU, en total, y hasta musica al puro estilo hindu como EYES LIKE YOURS; este disco es indispensable para no solo los fans de Shakira, sino para todo fan del pop en general (por cierto, que bien pronuncia el idioma ingles).

A guilty pleasure.......2007-05-02

I really don't care much for pop music, much less latin pop music when that crossover explosion happened (which I completely blame on Ricky Martin for creating) but I'll make an exception with Shakira's "Laundry Service". The first time I actually heard her music was when the music video for "Whatever, Whenever" came out six years ago. The song was pure ear candy with its infectious pop hooks. So I eventually bought Shakira's "Laundry Service". Much to my surprise I actually enjoyed the cd. The music is filled with catchy pop/rock hooks without being overly polished. I think the songwriting is kinda weak and at times silly. I thought Shakira sounds the best singing in her native tongue than in english but that's just me. Another flaw is Shakira's vocals which is somewhat shrill at times but otherwise this album is a fun, guilty pleasure of mine.

Excellent Sound, a Good First Crossover!.......2006-11-25

This is an excellent first English Language disc by an artist who was already well established in the Latin world. The rock sounds are here especially with Underneath Your Clothes, which sounds a lot like Aerosmith's Dream On. Those of you who enjoyed her superior prior works (Pies Descalzo and Donde Estan Los Ladrones) may be a little disappointed in the commerical direction that this one went (take the pop candy song Whenever). Also some of the English lyrics are really non-sensical and we are not sure what the title Laundry Service has to do with anything on the disc. This is what prevented me from giving the disc 5 stars. Shakira has a good sense for great sound and music is her strong point over lyrics. But her Lebonese roots engrained in many of her sounds gives her music a unique feel to it that will keep her as a megastar for many years to come!

Average customer rating:

wonderful
If you liked "Live Dead", You'll love this
A musical experience like no other....
Severely Overrated!!!
Happy Trails by Quicksilver Messenger Service

Happy Trails
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Quicksilver Messenger Service
It's a Beautiful Day
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ASIN: B000002UTY
Release Date: 1994-08-09

Tracks:

Who Do You Love Part 1
When Do You Love
Where Do You Love
How Do You Love
Which Do You Love
Who Do You Love Part 2
Mona
Maiden Of The Cancer Moon
Calvary
Happy Trails

Album Details

Digitally Remastered. Includes Extensive Booklet.

Customer Reviews:

wonderful.......2007-06-24

I went in expecting an album with an old, lackluster guitar sound and uninteresting guitar playing because, let me be honest, there's a lot of guitar playing from the 60's that doesn't sound good to me. Let me take that back- it SOUNDS good, but the notes aren't inspiring me to continue listening because it's mostly a guitar playing over simple blues rhythms and whatnot. It's alright in small doses, but not in great quantities for me.

However, Happy Trails is just the opposite. The reviewer below is right- if you like the Grateful Dead's "Live/Dead" album or even some of the spookier Doors moments when they are letting loose and jamming out, this album won't disappoint. Throw in some melodic guitar jams with lots of delicious licks and really good and unpredictable bass work, and you got yourself a quality album.

Even if you don't care for the versions of "Who Do You Love" that you may have heard, you can ignore all those versions because this is a VERY different song. It takes the theme of that song and expands and builds on the melody in various ways. An album created to satisfy all the guitar jam fans out there. It's awesome. A must buy.

If you liked "Live Dead", You'll love this.......2007-05-15

A few have labeled this a dull or booring, I'd assume that they don't have a background in other aspects of improvizational music - jazz, ragas... If you're used to the pop format (frequently associated with comercialized drivel from my perspective) - don't buy this unless you are wanting to expand your musical horizons.

These were musicians playing music for the music, not for major $$$s.

By the way, for those who like the dual lead format, Wishbone Ash was and still is dual lead - check out Argus for starters (from around the same era - esp the cuts "The King will Come" and "Warrior"). The re-issue CD has some bonus live tracks, with an extended version of Phoenix.

Also, back around that time, Fleetwood Mac was also dual lead - check out "Then Play On", esp the cuts "Rattlesnake Shake" and the two cuts about "Madge".

Also, regarding Dino V, I heard QMS live at the Ampitheator twice in Chicago, once pre-Dino and once after - definately liked them better With John C.

Hope this helps,

Scott

A musical experience like no other...........2007-04-22

When I'd discovered this album in the early 80s (I'm a very late baby boomer), I thought it was "different," but interesting. I wasn't sure what to think of it. Shortly thereafter, when I listened to it "experienced" (hopefully you pick up what I mean), it blew me away to the point that I thought it was one of the greatest recordings ever made. I still do (and I stopped dropping over 20 years ago). It goes beyond rock & roll (matter of fact, to dub this these tunes/performances mere rock is doing it an injustice) - it was like every note played and every beat stroked by the band was so tight and intricate - as well as the timing - it just took you on a ride I can't even describe. From the beginning twang to the last drum beat, including the incredible solos from each of the four members, as well as how each of them complemented each other, it is something beyond words. I mean time just completely stood still until the very last note was played and the needle in the groove lifted off the vinyl.

The hard part was to get enough strength to get up and turn the record over to side 2! Then that whole 2nd side just took you on a completely different journey. All I know is, whenever we dropped, Happy Trails was ALWAYS played. A night wasn't complete without jamming out to this album (Hendrix's 'Axis: Bold As Love' was another favorite).

I saw John Cipollina perform with a group called The Dinosaurs in a small rock hall in Denver, back in 1983. It was probably one of the best performances I ever saw, completely blew me away. That's what turned me onto Quicksilver, later coming across this album. By the way....some of you may recall that the front cover art (depicting the man riding away on the horse) morphed into something completely different (as the artist intended it), while dropping. I mean this whole album - inside & out - was an experience in itself.

Severely Overrated!!!.......2007-03-20

It seems that a lot of the folks reviewing this CD still spend a lot of time with with their bongs. Yes, it's a pretty good record. But a little of the Bo Diddley beat goes a long way, and 30 plus minutes of it overstays its welcome. And for my money, Gary Duncan cuts John Cipollina to shreds; John's OVERUSE of the whammy bar takes a lot away from his playing. The cd's "Quicksilver" and "Comin' Thru" are much better than this one. I recommend this for completists only......

Happy Trails by Quicksilver Messenger Service.......2007-03-09

Classic Filmore West Rock. Just as good as as it was on vinyl years ago (too many). Has the longest recorded version of "Who Do You Love" that I have ever heard.

Average customer rating:

Don't Waste Your Money
An Important Relic
Performance pretty inspired, recording primitive......
A very enjoyable recording
For Die-Hard Fans Only

At the Kabuki Theatre
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Manufacturer: Snapper UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000MMLMYO
Release Date: 2007-02-26

Tracks:

Fresh Air
New Year's Jam
Baby, Baby
Too Far
Truth
You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond
Doctor Feelgood
Cobra
Song for Frisco
Mona
Subway

Tracks:

What About Me
Call on Me
Pride of Man
Local Colour
Not Fade Away
Mojo
Freeway Flyer
Subway [Studio Rehersal][*]
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Album Details

Recorded in December of 1970 in San Francisco, this is the Last Show Recorded with Members John Cipollina and Dino Valenti. Includes 18 Live Tracks and a Bonus Four Studio Tracks Recorded in 1969 with Nicky Hopkins.

Customer Reviews:

Don't Waste Your Money.......2007-07-06

I'm a fan of Quicksilver and saw them many times, but this recording is just horrible. Big dropouts where everyone's playing and then, blam, just a vocal and a tinny guitar, then it will switch back to the full band. Almost like someone was going "what's this switch do?".
This recording is just horrible and should never have been commerically released.

An Important Relic.......2007-06-18

I was fortunate to see Quicksilver Messenger Service in concert on two occasions, and this welcome release is a terrific souvenir of a great band. The sound quality is hardly state of the art, but that's a minor quibble. Of primary importance is the fact that this is the only live document (except for bootleg recordings) of QMS with both John Cippolina and Dino Valenti in the line-up. And as David Crosby once declared, Valenti "does his level best to stir up your guts with a spoon!" I prefer Dino's ballads (check out his 1968 solo album), but here he's obviously "up" for a largely high voltage gig. Even if one finds his voice an acquired taste, the double leads by Cippolina and Gary Duncan are not to be missed. In the final analysis, well over half of what's presented here is essential Quicksilver.

Performance pretty inspired, recording primitive.............2007-06-18

Back around the time this was recorded, Stereo Review magazine was publishing some fabulous monthly reviews of contemporary music, written by Mr. Steve Simels. Back in that analog age, it was necessary to divide the review into two pieces, the quality of the music and the quality of the actual recording. The recording here, most of the time, sounds like it was done on a battery powered mini reel to reel, and occasionally spliced together from different source tapes! Jarring changes in volume and tone, muffles, etc. As to the music, the first CD is pretty doggone inspired, rocks on very well, maybe the liveliest version of "You're Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond" (mis-typed as "Band") I ever heard. Dino Valente's distinct high lonesome vocals, solid drumming, driving guitars, etc. The second disc is generally painful with a few bright moments, but mostly dispensable.

A very enjoyable recording.......2007-06-08

This is a most enjoyable recording which benefits from being played repeatedly, loud, in a car with a good stereo with at leat four speakers. Initially,indoors, I was disappointed because I thought John Cipollina was too far back in the mix and I wasn't sure about the sound quality. But, like many live recordings, it improves the more you listen to it. There is improvisation and atmosphere in the performance, which is not present in the studio material of this period. When you know what to listen for, you will hear John playing on the left and Gary on the right, "duelling" wonderfully, with probably the best live vocal permormances I have heard by the band. As someone who is too young to have seen the band live, this is a delight. I wish some more recordings would be released.

For Die-Hard Fans Only.......2007-06-02

I'm a sucker when it comes to Quicksilver Messenger Service. I fell in love with Happy Trails, and really enjoyed their first album. Everything else after that was always a hit and miss proposition. Each subsequent album had it's glorious moments, but were interspersed with sub-par, almost amateur songs. And... I hate Dino's voice. But... this album had the dual guitar attack of John and Gary, and the set-list didn't sound half bad, so I plunked down the money to buy it. As mentioned before, this is from a radio broadcast so the quality of the song is good, but not great (and sometimes bad). The performances, again, are hit and miss. And... no one in the band seems to know how to end a song! So many flubs. But... there are some great guitar solos, and for the most part John and Gary are sounding great.

If you don't know who QMS is, then get Happy Trails. You won't be disappointed. If you are a "completist", then add this to your collection. Just be forewarned the quality of the recording is just so-so. There are a few gems in here, but also a lot of mediocre stuff as well.

Average customer rating:

"Gold And Silver" awaits those that purchase the CD
Quicksilver
Actually, I like these guys
Quicksilver Messenger Service - Classic Filmore West Rock
Who Do You Love?

Quicksilver Messenger Service
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Happy Trails
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ASIN: B000002UTX
Release Date: 1994-08-09

Tracks:

Pride Of Man
Light Your Windows
Dino's Song
Gold And Silver
Too Long
The Fool

Amazon.com

Prior to this album's release, Quicksilver contributed two fine songs to the soundtrack of the film Revolution. Vocalist Dino Valente's subsequent drug bust and incarceration didn't prevent them from playing live, but it did delay the completion of their first album. Quicksilver's debut was consequently more mature than those of their late-1960s San Francisco Sound brethren--Big Brother, the Grateful Dead, and Jefferson Airplane. Quicksilver's first outing offers long instrumental passages and a communal attitude toward vocals and solos. Overall, however, QMS, while enjoyable and historically important, pales next to the band's innovative second release, Happy Trails. --James Swift

Customer Reviews:

"Gold And Silver" awaits those that purchase the CD.......2007-07-15

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.

It didn't take long for the 1968 debut from Quicksilver Messenger Service to make an impact. The leadoff tune "Pride Of Man" (Written by Hamilton Camp in 1964) would become synonymous with David Freiberg. To this day he performs it as a member of the Jefferson Starship. "Light Your Windows" is beauty in motion. The words flow flawlessly and the only shortcoming is the length of the tune not reaching three minutes. Dino Valente's "Dino's Song" follows in all its brilliance. Dino was in jail at the time of the recording sessions. The artistry of the song is without a flaw. The vocals are delivered with conviction and the instrumentation has a sincerity attached. "Gold And Silver" (Instrumental) lets the guitars of John Cipollina and Gary Duncan take center stage. If the production sounds exceptional during the high-energy display, give thanks to Nick Gravenites (Electric Flag) and Harvey Brooks (Miles Davis and Electric Flag to name only a couple) behind the scenes. "It's Been Too Long" continues with terrific instrumentation and a solid vocal. To end a memorable debut the twelve minute "The Fool" lets you encompass the many facets of QMS. May 1968 forever etched in the minds of those in and around San Francisco.

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

Quicksilver.......2007-06-03

I forgot how good it is. Infact unlike some old things revisited this music was even better than I remembered it to be. A friend had told me how difficult it had been to find this band's work. I was so pleased to see Amazon had listed it. It is classic rock at it's best and made this old guy feel 18. Far out!

Actually, I like these guys.......2007-03-12

They had a swagger at Monterey 67 and were in the right place at the right time. I like about 3 tracks on this album (their first and best). I can't recommend it to the masses, I purchased this mainly for historical purposes. You MUST listen to Jefferson Airplane (first 2 albums only), Peanut Butter Conspiracy (first 2 albums only), Grateful Dead (skip first 2 ablums) before you dig this deep for lost nuggets.

Quicksilver Messenger Service - Classic Filmore West Rock.......2007-03-09

Just as good as it ever was on vinyl, more years ago than I really want to admit.

Who Do You Love?.......2006-11-10

One of the best, if not the best from this band. A must have for all fans of QMS

Average customer rating:

Buy this for Spindrifter
Quicksilver Rocks
QMS Continues !!!
Old Stuff
Excellent Collection of Some Great Songs

Anthology
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Manufacturer: Bgo - Beat Goes on
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000011O6
Release Date: 2002-02-15

Tracks:

Pride Of Man
Dino's Song
The Fool
Bears
Mona
Edward The Mad Shirt Grinder
Three Or Four Feet From Home
Fresh Air
Just For Love
Spindrifter
Local Color
What About Me
Don't Cry My Lady Love
Hope
Fire Brothers
I Found Love

Customer Reviews:

Buy this for Spindrifter.......2006-01-11

This anthology, rather than Sons of Mercury, is the one to purchase if you're new to QMS. I won't dispute with some reviewers who prefer the live energy of Happy Trails for the original albums, but Anthology delivers all of the top songs for QMS including Spindrifter, a solo piano piece that showed why both the Who and the Stones wanted his talents. This version of Mona is also better than the one on Sons of Mercury, which is cut short for some awful reason.
QMS was quirky, talented, and a unique but accessible sound in an era of trippy San Francisco bands. This anthology gives you the absolute best of their studio music.

Quicksilver Rocks.......2005-09-19

I saw these guys in Denver back in the 70's, in a little bar, with Nicky Hopkins playing piano...nothing more needs to be said!

QMS Continues !!!.......2003-12-06

May I add that Gary Duncan is
carrying on the QMS name,
and is producing new
Quicksilver music.
Check it out at
Shady Grove.
Number 9 Trvlr...

Old Stuff.......2002-10-30

When this lp first came out I wore out the grooves and bought it again but that was a different time in our American lives. It's about sex, drugs and rock-and-roll. It's too slow for my more-modern taste. Some of the tunes still stand; but you can find those tunes at a modest price. This cd should be retired.

Excellent Collection of Some Great Songs.......2002-07-14

I had this on vinyl back when it was released as a double-album in the 1970s, and was glad to see it made available on CD.

Quicksilver Messenger Service, as you may or may not know, was one of the many bands that originated in and around the San Francisco area in the middle to late 1960s. Though not as well known nor as successful as some of the others would go on to be (Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, The Steve Miller Band), Quicksilver established itself as a band with first-rate musicianship, even though the band's lineup would regularly change. (Original guitarist John Cippolina would later go on to establish Copperhead; Gary Duncan was the other guitarist and occasional vocalist; bassist/vocalist David Freiberg would end up playing in the Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship band; pianist Nicky Hopkins would come for a while but then leave, to be replaced by Mark Naftalin from the Butterfield Blues Band; vocalist Dino Valenti, although technically slated to be part of the band from the beginning, didn't actually join the group until it had been around for four or five years due to his incarceration on drug possession and his vocals are reminiscent of Marty Balin from Jefferson Starship.)

Despite the changing lineups, the band recorded a number of outstanding songs as collected on this CD. The CD opens up with their cover of Hamilton Camp's "Pride of Man", followed up by "Dino's Song" (written by the aforementioned Dino Valenti, who was by the time this was recorded spending time in jail), and then the masterful 12-minute "The Fool". Cippolina's trembling electric guitar work stands out on these, particularly the mostly instrumental "The Fool" (a few verses are sung in its later minutes).

The next song "Bears" is a light-hearted, short song; a cover of "Mona" (a bluesy, but somewhat forgettable song, previously recorded by Bo Diddley) and "Edward the Mad Shirt Grinder" (an instrumental piece written by Nicky Hopkins) follow it. "Three or Four Feet from Home," written by Cippolina, sounds like something The Grateful Dead might have done. Following it are a couple of songs for which Dino Valenti finally joined the group and sang -- "Fresh Air" (which has two instrumental breaks, one featuring guitar work and the other piano) and "Just for Love". Both songs marked somewhat of a turning point, as the band turned away from longer, less commercial songs to more radio-friendly fare. "Spindrifter," another Nicky Hopkins piece, is an instrumental piano-laden song with an exquisite melody. "Local Color" is an instrumental, slide-guitar, bluesy piece written by Cippolina; it is the last song on this collection on which he plays. "What About Me" introduced Mark Naftalin on piano to the band (replacing Nicky Hopkins) and while it is a pretty much standard protest type of song from 1970, the following Dino Valenti-penned "Don't Cry My Lady Love" is a terrific romantic pop ballad with outstanding piano work from Mr. Naftalin. "Hope," a pretty good electric lead guitar-driven piece, the acoustic guitar and piano "Fire Brothers," and "I Found Love" close out the CD. For "Fire Brothers" and "I Found Love," Greg Duncan, who at this time was the only original member from the band still around, provides the vocals.

Overall the CD earns 5 stars on the strength of some outstanding arrangements and musicianship, even though a few songs are rather forgettable themselves. This CD is an excellent introduction to and overview of Quicksilver in its most productive and creative phase (1967 - 1971); although the band would continue (again with lineup changes) for some additional years, none of the later output holds up to what is on this CD. If you like the San Francisco style of music, with its extended musical interplays and occasional psychedelic excursions, this CD won't disappoint.

Special Beat Service
Average customer rating:

Energizes a roomful of people like few other recordings

Great Ska Album

Their pop album (4.5 stars)

HAPPY SKA!

Save It for Later is perfect and we're just lucky for the rest

Special Beat Service
The English Beat
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
British Ska | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
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I Just Can't Stop It

Wha'ppen?

All the Rage

Beat This: The Best of the English Beat

Specials

ASIN: B000021XS9
Release Date: 1999-10-26

Tracks:

I Confess
Jeannette
Sorry
Sole Salvation
Spar Wid Me
Rotating Heads
Save It For Later
She's Going
Pato and Roger A Go Talk
Sugar and Stress
End of the Party
Ackee 1-2-3

Customer Reviews:

Energizes a roomful of people like few other recordings.......2007-03-09

"Special Beat Service" is one of those rare recordings that never loses favor or fades with age. The English Beat are on top of their game here, singing and playing with madcap energy. The songs--a riot of riffs, driving percussion, high energy horns (particularly saxes), punctuating bass, shimmering guitar, spot-on keyboards--still sound brash and bold. And the vocals are a thing of wonder--soaring and confident.

Whether this recording was the band's best or worst is not a point I care to debate, but as it was the final release from The English Beat, I think it's certainly the one to start with. It certainly .

Great Ska Album.......2007-02-04

This album showed both the range of the band and an extension of the ska format\sound. While better SKA can be found of Just Can't Stand It and from other Bristish bands like the Selectors this is still a very good album with some gems that didn't get air time. Would not be the first place to start, but would highly recommend all the Beats original studio albums for anyone looking to get deeper into ska. They had the best drun\bass combo of all the ska bands and IMHO they were the best of British ska period. Worth going beyond the Greatest Hits album. Get all the originals, you will not be disappointed.

Their pop album (4.5 stars).......2006-07-27

At the time they released Special Beat Service in 1982, the English Beat appeared to be on the verge of a breakthrough. While their first album, I Just Can't Stop It, was a ska classic, and their second album, Wha'ppen?, was very deep into reggae, Special Beat Service toned down those genres in favor of British pop. Dave Wakeling's vocals were more compassionate than ever before and their songs were arguably their strongest overall. However, internal dissention would ultimately break up the English Beat and although several of the band members would later find success with General Public and The Fine Young Cannibals respectively, the excellent songs and performances on Special Beat Service make you wonder how far they could have gone if they were able to keep it together.

One listen to the soulful "I Confess" and the solemn ballad "End of the Party" show a newfound maturity that didn't exist on their previous releases. Songs like "Jeanette", "She's Going", and "Sugar & Stress" are very catchy while "Sorry" mixes their snappy horn lines with a dose of funk. "Soul Salvation", which combines their ska sound with an R&B edge, is also a great track. Other strong tracks include the new wave sounds of "Rotating Head" and the island like "Ackee 1 2 3." The reggae tracks, "Spar Wid Me", and "Pato and Roger a Go Talk" are also pretty decent. Finally, "Save It for Later" is one of the best British singles of the `80s, and is living proof that sometimes the best songs are the simplest. The strings near the end of the track also provide a nice touch. All told, Special Beat Service is a great album from one of the more enduring British bands. Highly recommended.

HAPPY SKA!.......2006-07-25

WARNING! It's really difficult to stay still when listening to this cd. I've owned it on vinyl, cassette, and cd over the years and it's always fun to listen to. It's very catchy and cool, and 80-esque. If you like Ska music, you'll probably love this album.

Save It for Later is perfect and we're just lucky for the rest.......2005-07-02

Save it for Later is still one of the perfect songs of all time (though the extended versions from later are even better). There's some other great stuff off this album, like Ackee 1-2-3, and I Confess, but the whole album is solid. Actually, all of the Beat albums are solid; if you like any of their songs, I recommend the rest of their catalog to you. But Save it for Later is a special gem, so I recommend this album first.

Average customer rating:

Great, but not their best
I love their remixes!
whatever
so-so
For TCM, this is a really poor album

Community Service II
The Crystal Method
Manufacturer: Ultra Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Big Beat | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Community Service
London
Tweekend
Push the Button
Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned

ASIN: B0007PIDZM
Release Date: 2005-04-05

Tracks:

Intro/The Crystal Method Intro
Gyromancer(Elite Force Remix)/PMT
Ghetto Fabulous/Elite Force
Come With Me/Hyper
The Crystal Method vs. The Doors(Roadhouse Blues Remix)/The Doors
We Have the Energy/Evil Nine
Ellis Salty(Meat Katie Remix)/Dylan Rhymes feat. Katherine
Keep Hope Alive(J.D.S Mix)/The Crystal Method
Speedfreak/Koma & Bones
Kalifornia/The Crystal Method feat. Kevin Beber
Octopus/Uberzone
Reign(False Prophet Mix)/UNKLE feat. Ian Brown
Starting Over(Elite Force Mix)/The Crystal Method
Bound Too Long(Hyper Mix)/The Crystal Method
Love Triangle(The Crystal Method's CSII Mix)/New Order Bizarre
1979(New Originals 1799 Remix)/Smashing Pumpkins

Customer Reviews:

Great, but not their best.......2007-02-11

I love The Crystal Method; their music is a fresh change from the same old songs on the radio. If you like electronic music, Crystal Method does it the best. This CD mixes various artist's songs like the Door's "Roadhouse Blues" and New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle". I prefer Community Service I to this CD, but my favorite Crystal Method CD is Tweekend.

I love their remixes!.......2006-03-23

Track 5, the Roadhouse Blues remix, is a marvellous piece of work, a tribute to the Doors. Worth the price of the CD if you've ever seen Morrison live.

whatever.......2005-12-19

this is a great mix. and to say it doesn't compare w/ Legion of Boom just shows that you dont know this music very well. Legion of Boom was garbage. this is the first interesting album i've heard from them since vegas.

so-so.......2005-10-08

I am a big fan of TCM, but I was kinda disappointed after listening to this album. And not that it is that bad, some of the songs, like #2 & #7 are great....but overall I got too much noise and not enough good beat and music. In my opinion it lacks balance and it's certainly no match for any of TCM's previous albums.

For TCM, this is a really poor album.......2005-10-06

I absolutely loved their previous albums, especially "Legion of Boom". They went really wrong with this album, though. It's like some kind of aerobics CD - just a non-stop beat with no imagination. Their older stuff was much more creative and had rhythms that were awesome.

I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 or zero because it's still The Crystal Method. But I really wish I could return the album, it's that bad to me. Be sure to listen to the sound clips to make sure it's what you want before you buy.

Average customer rating:

unadulterated rock-n- roll
Better Remembered
60's revisited
Return to the origin of modern music
Disappointing - sounds muffled and flat

Classic Masters
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Manufacturer: EMI Special Products
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Happy Trails
Quicksilver Messenger Service
The Best of Spirit
It's a Beautiful Day
Cricklewood Green

ASIN: B00005V5Q3
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Tracks:

Pride Of Man
Light Your Windows
Who Do You Love (part 1)
Stand By Me
Dino's Song
Shady Grove
Joseph's Coat
Flute Song
Fresh Air
What About Me
Just For Love
Hope

Customer Reviews:

unadulterated rock-n- roll.......2007-07-16

At this stage of my life, I do not have the time to listen to as much of the old Hard-Rock music that I would like. However, this QSM gem is always a trip down memory lane. When my wife is out of the house, I crank this up as loud as possible!!!! Oh, to be 20 years old again.

Better Remembered.......2007-03-10

This album/CD was only a few dollars, thankfully! It had, perhaps, two cuts that were worth remembering. Too bad I didn't remember that when I took the offer (like a hungry trout).

It's better left in the dust bin.

60's revisited.......2007-01-09

Great walk down memory lane. I had forgotten their unique sound, and I enjoyed listening to it once again. You can hear the band grow and change as they moved from rock and roll to their Quicksilver sound.

Return to the origin of modern music.......2007-01-03

Few gen X or Y people know that Quicksilver Messenger Service was another vital piece of the musical pie that came out of the 60's/early 70's..........for those of you who don't know them.....pickup this 'best of' and connect the dots to modern jam bands........good stuff. bcp

Disappointing - sounds muffled and flat.......2006-12-12

I have to disagree strongly with the review below which says that the sound quality on this disc is "superb." It's not. In fact, it's one of the worst sounding discs I've purchased in a long time. On many of the cuts the higher frequencies are missing; this is probably because over long periods of time, recordings on tape (i.e. the master tapes used to produce this CD) deteriorate. As a result, the music sounds dull and muffled. Also, I was surprised how dated many of these songs are, both in musical style and the lyrics. I was a big fan of QMS "back in the day," but this disc is a loser.

Average customer rating:

bland and boring
Does It Match Up To Their Name???
Community Service = Essential Beats
Not bad for a mix album
...But It's Not Ken & Jordan...

Community Service
Crystal Method
Manufacturer: Ultra Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Big Beat | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Community Service II
Tweekend
London
Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned
Push the Button

ASIN: B000069JJE
Release Date: 2002-07-23

Tracks:

No Soul (PMT Remix) - Ils
Cake Hole - Evil 9
Breakin On The Streets (False Prophet Remix) - Stir Fry
Morpheus (Meat Katie And Dylan's Rhymes Mix) - Koma + Bones
Funny Break (One Is Enough) (Plumb DJ's Mix) - Orbital
Curveball - Elite Force
Dude In The Moon (Luna Mix) - Dastrix
Name Of The Game (Hybrid's LA Blackout Remix) - The Crystal Method
Boom (The Crystal Method Remix) - P.O.D.
Trickshot - Ceasefire
Renegades Of Funk (The Crystal Method Remix) - Rage Against The Machine
Paranoid (The Crystal Method Remix) - Garbage
Wild, Sweet & Cool (Static Revenger Mix) - The Crystal Method
Hold Back - Force Mass Motion Vs. Dylan Rhymes
You Know Its Hard (Koma + Bones Remix) - The Crystal Method
The Red Pill - Scratch-D Vs. H-Bomb

Amazon.com

Exciting, edgy, and energetic, Community Service, the Crystal Method's debut DJ mix release, is an instant success. Method men Scott Kirkland and Ken Jordan have molded 15 cuts from the likes of Orbital, Rage Against the Machine, and Evil 9 into their own futureshock soundscape, with a result that sounds like an after-hours electronic speed-romp through a postapocalyptic Playstation mega city. At times, Community Service sounds like the sister of German techno-chase film Run Lola Run, nowhere more so than during Koma & Bones' pulsating "Morpheus (Meat Katie and Dylan Rhymes Mix)" and Force Mass Motion vs. Dylan Rhymes's "Hold Back." Add some nice funky flashes to the overall techno-based energy, and Community Service is an entertaining reminder that these boys still know their way around decks as well as desktops. --Steffan Chirazi

Customer Reviews:

bland and boring.......2007-01-03

considering it had the TCM name on the cover, i thought this would be off the top, trippy stuff. it sadly wasnt. my first thing i noticed was that it was boring...there was nothing special about it. no electronic effects that grabbed me like Vegas did.

i know this wasnt a TCM album, but i figgured it HAD to be good, right? i mean....it had their name on the front.

i am a huge fan of meth, i love them love them love them, but....this album just didnt fly.

Does It Match Up To Their Name???.......2006-11-09

I would have to rate this one a five since I haven't heard many of their mixes. Upon purchasing this CD, I personally found this one more appealling to my ears compared to a few of their other Mixes. Please make sure you play this Mix on a Quality sound system otherwise you may be disappointed. The Crystal Method have been labeled by some as the loudest group in concert, therefore this Mix attests to that and appearantly was one of the group's focus. If your not ready to dance to this music I recommend it for high speed freeway music. (Warning, drive at your own discretion.)

Community Service = Essential Beats.......2004-12-22

This disc from the 'Method was the perfect predecessor to the incredible "Tweekend" cd, at the same time bringing fresh tracks (remixed or not; that is irrelevant) to the over-rated & overplayed "Vegas" release of 1997.
Scott & Ken demonstrate the essence of any electronica dj's reason to exist: remixing skills that twist otherwise snoozer tracks into their signature big beat/hard hop groove.
Being much more accessible than the ego-heavy Prodigy & having diversity of style over remix-only outfits (Rabbit in the Moon plus hundreds of other wannabe's) keeps this 'Island of Groove' (a.k.a. The Crystal Method) the standard of the genre.

Not bad for a mix album.......2004-11-22

First of all, if you buy this CD and expect another Vegas or Tweekend, you will be disappointed. What you will find here is a continuous mix of songs mixed by TCM. More breakbeat-oriented than any other TCM work, I found Community Service to be a bit repetitive, but it certainly has its share of enjoyable tracks. Breakin' on the Streets, Name of the Game, Boom, Renegades of Funk, and Paranoid were my favorites.

This CD is definitely not for everyone. If you are a big TCM fan, I would recommend this CD, or if you are simply a big electronic music enthusiast.

...But It's Not Ken & Jordan..........2004-02-06

CAUTION!
THIS ISN'T A TRUE TCM CD!

this is a mix cd, and everything a mix cd should be.

it starts out spookily with "No Soul" and doesn't start to get upbeat until the third track, "Breakin' On the Streets". then it drops down again for "Morpheus" and continues to rise and fall throughout.
but once you've heard "...how deep the rabbit-hole goes" for the final time, you know it's solid.

recommended if you like techno (that's a rather big prerequesite), and you should be ready to fall in love with the Method again.

Music: