Bridgett M's Reviews

This is an excellent greatest hits collection that always improves my mood. "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" is my favorite song here, and somehow I don't think I had ever heard it until this collection. Now I don't know how I lived without it for so long. If you like Crowded House, Neil Finn and/or Tim Finn but haven't given Split Enz a chance, here's a great place to begin.
Review Date: 11/11/2024

History is an actually great greatest hits collection. I've listened to quite a few of America's albums and their other collections that have been released over the years, and I think this is as good as it gets for them. I feel a little guilty about "Muskrat Love," but I usually just sing along anyway--I can't help it. The rest of it is a guilt-free pleasure for me. If you are looking to add some America to your life and listening, you can't go wrong with this.
Review Date: 4/23/2023

Amplified Heart is one of my favorite CDs and my favorite Everything But the Girl album. It is mellow and consistently excellent. With such beautiful voices and songs, it is nearly impossible for me to listen just once. I put it on, it becomes a continuous loop, and I don't mind at all.
Review Date: 7/17/2021

I have been listening to this album for more than 30 years, and I still love it, especially in August or any time after or before. Looking at the track listings, I can't even single anything out--it's just a wonderful whole. How was this their debut?! The four albums that followed, including Across a Wire: Live in New York, are pretty great as well, though my ratings would steadily decline from 5 stars for August and Everything After to 4 stars for Hard Candy. If you somehow haven't heard these CDs or listened to them lately, you're in for a treat. If you love August and Everything After and Recovering the Satellites as much as I do, you should definitely listen to Across a Wire--it's rare for me to like a live album this much. If you have credits to spend, I highly recommend considering these early Counting Crows CDs.
Review Date: 8/22/2024

I'm including the track listings here since SwapaCD's information for this CD does not.

Track Listings:
1. Rimshot (Intro)
2. On & On
3. Appletree
4. Otherside Of The Game
5. Sometimes (Mix #9)
6. Next Lifetime
7. Afro (Freestyle Skit)
8. Certainly
9. 4 Leaf Clover
10. No Love
11. Drama
12. Sometimes...
13. Certainly (Flipped It)
14. Rimshot (Outro)
Review Date: 6/19/2024

This is a wonderful soundtrack. Unfortunately, it doesn't include every song and some of the best songs featured in the movie. Still, as it is, I like it a lot, and there aren't any songs that I want to skip. It is quite soulful. I think it manages to capture the feeling of the movie, and I like the movie even more than I like the soundtrack. If you enjoy soundtracks and especially if you love the movie, like I do, I recommend giving it a listen.
Review Date: 12/29/2022

I'm including the track listings here since SwapaCD's information for this CD does not.

Track Listings:
1. Tears For Fears "Sowing The Seeds Of Love"
2. John Parr "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)"
3. The Power Station "Some Like It Hot"
4. Greg Kihn Band "Jeopardy"
5. Matthew Wilder "Break My Stride"
6. The Kings "Switchin' To Glide"
7. Go West "We Close Our Eyes"
8. Tommy Tutone "Angel Say No"
9. Donnie Iris "Love Is Like A Rock"
Review Date: 8/31/2023

I'm including the track listings here since SwapaCD's information for this CD does not.

Track Listings:
1. Billy Dean "Trying' To Hide A Fire In The Dark"
2. Doug Stone "I Thought It Was You"
3. Ricky Van Shelton "Keep It Between The Lines"
4. Rodney Crowell "What Kind Of Love"
5. Collin Raye "In This Life"
6. Don Neilson "You're My Hometown"
7. Tracey Prescott & Lonesome Daddy "If You Only Knew"
8. Cassandra Vasik "It Comes Back To You"
9. The Kentucky Headhunters "Dumas Walker"
10. Chris LeDoux "Cadillac Ranch"
11. Marty Stuart "Now That's Country"
12. Suzy Bogguss "Drive South"
13. Paul Overstreet "Ball & Chain"
14. Trisha Yearwood "Walkaway Joe"
15. Baillie & The Boys "Long Shot"
16. Ronnie Milsap "Turn That Radio On"
Review Date: 7/19/2022

I have a fondness for exceptional and often shorter (typically fewer than 15 tracks) single-disc greatest hits collections, and this is one of the best. Just reading through the track listings gives my mood a little boost. I prefer this collection over their later Complete Greatest Hits, which isn't as catchy and is bogged down by filler. Some other examples of wonderful single-disc hits collections include Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House; Hall & Oates Greatest Hits: Rock 'n Soul, Part 1; History: America's Greatest Hits; and REO Speedwagon The Hits.
Review Date: 3/26/2023

All of Hayden's albums are excellent. This is one of those CDs that when I see it posted I wonder: Do I need a second copy? What if something happens to the copy I have? I will resist the urge to order another, but I really do love it that much. Preview a few songs and, if you like what you hear, order it before someone else does!

It's hard to decide, but I think my favorite lyrics here (from "The Hazards of Sitting Beneath Palm Trees"--great title, right?) are:
"your eyes drift across the beach
and just before you reach me he speaks
his face is red and he's talking degrees
and you get up to leave as the sun hits the trees
and you jump in the water with him at your feet"

Review Date: 7/12/2022

Cosmic Thing is a fantastic album. "Love Shack" and "Roam" were the big hits, but there's nothing here I want to skip. It would be very difficult to maintain a bad mood while listening to this sunny CD. Of the albums of theirs I've heard, it is by far my favorite.
Review Date: 8/31/2022

I like all of Tracy Chapman's albums and was able to complete my collection here--thanks, SwapaCD! Her first two albums are still my favorites though. This was no sophomore slump. Her singing and songwriting continue to be incredible and powerful. For me, "Subcity," "A Hundred Years" and "All That You Have Is Your Soul" are standout tracks, but it's just a beautiful album I feel compelled to listen to on repeat. If you have a credit to spend, this would be an excellent choice.
Review Date: 3/23/2023

Rock 'n Soul has to be one of the best single-disc greatest hits collections. There's no filler. Surprisingly "Say It Isn't So" and "Adult Education" were new songs when it was released. Typically I dislike when new songs are included in a hits compilation, but the additional songs actually became hits in this rare case.
Review Date: 9/15/2023

This is one of my all-time favorite CDs and artists. Kathleen Edwards is a treasure and a fantastic singer-songwriter. If you have the chance to see her in concert, don't miss it. Her songs are wonderful stories, she rocks and sings her heart out.
Review Date: 11/19/2021

This is one of my all-time favorite CDs and my favorite by Semisonic, though Great Divide (their first album) is a close second. It hurts my heart a little to see there are currently 20 copies available here, but you're in luck if you don't already have it. I like Feeling Strangely Fine so much that I adopted "Singing In My Sleep," its second song, for my SwapaCD nickname. Now that's devotion! I think most of us CD swappers will identify with and appreciate that song.

Almost everyone knows "Closing Time," but this album should also be remembered for "Singing in My Sleep," "Secret Smile," consistently excellent songwriting and Dan Wilson's voice. Some of the songs may be slow burners, give them your time. For me, "Closing Time" has suffered a bit due to being overplayed on the radio and elsewhere, but I enjoy it more knowing its second meaning related to birth. If you like Semisonic, I also highly recommend their drummer Jacob Slichter's book So You Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star, which is about the band. At the time of this review, the book is available at PaperBackSwap.
Review Date: 4/3/2024

I consider Got No Shadow to be a SwapaCD buried treasure. At the time of this review, 3 copies are available to order. I don't remember how I first heard Mary Lou Lord, but I hope I never forget how much I enjoy this album. It has a jangly, '60s/'70s folk-rock feel. I don't know if this is the best comparison I could make, but I think if you like the Bangles, you will probably like this. For me, "Western Union Desperate, "Lights are Changing" and "Throng of Blowtown" are some of the highlights. I like the entire album a lot, and typically feel compelled to listen to it more than once. Until I looked at the liner notes today, I mistakenly thought that it was comprised of covers that Mary Lou Lord and others somehow managed to make feel like a cohesive whole. She actually wrote or co-wrote about half the songs--even more impressive.
Review Date: 8/30/2024

You can't go wrong with either or, better yet, both of Semisonic's first two albums, Great Divide and Feeling Strangely Fine. I purchased Great Divide in 1996 or 1997 from BMG Music Service (or was it "free"?), based on the description alone. In general, I wish I had been a more thoughtful buyer at that time, but this is one case where it worked out very well. The songs on Great Divide and Feeling Strangely Fine are consistently catchy and great pop-rock. Full disclosure: I may be a bit biased due to the band's ties to Minnesota... I think there may be something in the water. I also highly recommend Semisonic drummer Jacob Slichter's book So You Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star, which is about the band.
Review Date: 4/12/2023

Rock 'n Soul has to be one of the best single-disc greatest hits collections. There's no filler. Surprisingly "Say It Isn't So" and "Adult Education" were new songs when it was released. Typically I dislike when new songs are included in a hits compilation, but the additional songs actually became hits in this rare case.
Review Date: 11/14/2021

I'm including the track listings here since SwapaCD's information for this CD does not.

Track Listings:
1. Invitation
2. Stage
3. Sleepless
4. When Did I Learn
5. Halfway Around The World
6. Red Hair
7. Tell Me
8. Here
9. Third Degree
10. Stay
11. Fall
12. Lipstick
Review Date: 3/20/2024

Living With Ghosts is Patty Griffin's debut album, and it's still my favorite of hers--an incredible, 5-star CD. In my opinion, it should have a really long wish list, but at the time of this review, 1 copy is available with both inserts. This is a must-hear for all folkies and anyone who appreciates great songwriting. These songs are wonderful stories. Her singing is beautiful and emotive as well.
Review Date: 8/9/2023

I'm including the track listings here since SwapaCD's information for this CD does not.

Track Listings:
1. BoDeans - "Closer To Free"
2. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - "Cruel Spell"
3. Laurie Sargent - "Without Letting Go"
4. BT Featuring Tori Amos - "Blue Skies"
5. Chaka Khan - "Love Me Still"
6. Joe Jackson - "Stranger Than Fiction"
7. Syd Straw - "People Of Earth"
8. Stevie Nicks - "Free Fallin'"
9. Holly Palmer - "All I Really Want To Do"
10. Howard Jones - "If You Love"
11. Rickie Lee Jones - "Sunshine Superman"
12. Nanci Griffith - "It's A Hard Life Wherever You Go"
13. Rusted Root - "Send Me On My Way"
14. Shawn Colvin - "Climb On (A Back That's Strong)"
15. BoDeans - "Heart Of A Miracle"
Review Date: 12/19/2024

The beautiful movie Once and its soundtrack are two of my favorite things. I wanted to shine a light on this particular UPC because the database's information or lack of it for this CD may make it difficult for members to find it (the artists are not listed). At the time of posting this review, one copy is available with both inserts. Another version of this CD which lists the artists has five members wishing for it. I like Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova a lot on their own, but when they are together, it is magic greater than the sum of its parts. There is some overlap between the soundtrack and the The Swell Season's self-titled CD--"Falling Slowly," "When Your Mind's Made Up," "Lies" and "Leave" are on both CDs. I have both releases and can't get enough of The Swell Season/Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard. Their voices and songwriting complement each other wonderfully.

If you are spending time on SwapaCD, it's safe to assume that you love music. If you also like indie films, I think you are the perfect audience for the movie Once. There is currently one copy of the DVD available at SwapaDVD.
Review Date: 1/17/2024

From the Twin/Tone Records (Minnesota) website: "TRG is the manufacturing / distribution division of Twin/Tone Records. We work with over 30 bands and 10 labels, we also release independent projects on the 'TRG Records' label."

I'm including the track listings here since SwapaCD's information for this CD does not.

Track Listings:
1. Ed Kuepper "All These Things"
2. The Beatifics "Almost Something There"
3. Barbara Cohen "Run To You"
4. Honeydogs "Glee"
5. Celibate Rifles "Dancing Barefoot"
6. Pink Noise Test "All The Same To Me"
7. The Magnolias "Hello Belinda"
8. Dwindle "Present General Conditions"
9. Dylan Hicks "You Make A Better Door"
10. Ed Kuepper "The Way You Make Me Feel"
11. Willie Wisely "Go"
12. Think Tank "The Screen"
13. Likehell "Land Of Gold"
14. Dumpster Juice "Ooh Baby Ooh"
15. REO Speedealer "Viva La Vulva"
16. Darling "Sever"
17. Saucer "She Used To Be The Bomb"
18. Milk "No More Lame Kisses"
19. Colfax Abbey "Once In A While"
20. Colfax Abbey "Penetrate" (Short Edit)
Review Date: 9/6/2021

If you're only going to have one Crowded House album in your collection (and, trust me, you should have at least one), I would go with this one or Woodface, their third album. Prior to hearing this collection years ago, the only Crowded House songs I knew were "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Locked Out," the latter due to it being on the Reality Bites soundtrack. While hearing this, they became one of my all-time favorite bands. I was shocked that more of these songs weren't hits in the U.S. Though I have acquired other Crowded House albums over the years, I still hold on to this one because it is just excellent. "Fall at Your Feet" is my favorite track; beyond that it is too hard to decide.
Review Date: 10/19/2021

This is an often dark but always beautiful album. Released in 2002, it's been one of my favorites for more than twenty years. At the time of posting this review, two copies are available. I recommend previewing a few of my favorite tracks ("Honey and the Moon," "Dear Lord," "September Baby" and "You've Been Loved") and then ordering. It's difficult to even choose standout songs. Redemption's Son is a very consistent and cohesive album that flows well. I haven't listened to all of Joseph Arthur's albums (possibly a 2024 resolution), but of the ones I have, this is my favorite. Our Shadows Will Remain, which followed two years later, is also excellent.
Review Date: 1/11/2024

You've probably forgotten how much you like REO Speedwagon. I think it happens to everyone. This is a very good single-disc hits collection and probably the perfect amount of Speedwagon for most people. Warning: It's highly likely you will start singing along without realizing it.
Review Date: 7/19/2022

I'm including the track listings here since SwapaCD's information for this CD does not.

Track Listings:
1. True Fortune "Paradise"
2. Cap-One "Ladies & Willies"
3. Evil Minds featuring Lord Tariq "All Mine"
4. Rawcotiks "Place Ya Bets"
5. N'Dea Davenport "No Never Again"
6. Magic Juan "Piece Of Cake"
7. Infinite "The Game Don't End"
8. Shabaam Sahdeeq "Are You Ready"
9. Rated Raw "From The Heart"
10. Susan Garcia featuring Magic Juan & Malik "In My Moment"
11. Old World Disorder featuring Eminem "3 6 5"
12. Truck "Who Am I?"
13. Adrien 'A. Ranger' Brody featuring Rawcotiks "This Ain't A Movie"
Review Date: 5/25/2023

If you're searching for a treasure within SwapaCD, I submit to you this gem. I can't recommend it highly enough. Ron Sexsmith is an amazing songwriter and singer. The first time I heard him, he was the opener for someone who ended up being sick and couldn't perform. He became the headliner, and though he was unknown to me, once he started singing I was not disappointed at all. While it's difficult to choose a favorite here, "Lebanon, Tennessee" is the song I end up singing to myself long after listening to the CD. Overall, it's just a wonderful album I could keep playing on repeat.
Review Date: 2/5/2023

I'm including the track listings here since SwapaCD's information for this CD does not.

Track Listings:
1. Wynonna "Only Love"
2. George Strait "Love Without End, Amen"
3. The Mavericks "There Goes My Heart"
4. McBride & The Ride "Sacred Ground"
5. Tracy Byrd "Someone To Give My Love To"
6. Trisha Yearwood "That's What I Like About You"
7. Mark Chesnutt "Your Love Is A Miracle"
8. Tanya Tucker "If Your Heart Ain't Busy Tonight"
9. Patty Loveless "Timber, I'm Falling In Love"
10. Vince Gill "I Still Believe In You"
Review Date: 7/5/2022

Smile is a lovely, sunny album by The Jayhawks and one of my favorites of theirs. With amazing harmonies, vocals and songwriting, it has the power to energize and make me feel better about just about everything. It even starts off beautifully along this theme with "Wake up, put your shoes on / Take a breath of the northern air / And rub those eyes / Genuflect beneath the starry skies..." I wanted to shine a light on this particular CD because, at the time of this review, there are two copies available. Since SwapaCD's database does not list the artist for this particular UPC, it may be difficult for members to find it. A couple of the other editions/UPCs have one member wishing for them. If you like Americana, country rock, alternative country or whatever-you-want-to-call-it music, I highly recommend checking out Smile and the band's entire catalog.
Review Date: 5/10/2023

I'm including the track listings here since SwapaCD's information for this CD does not.

Track Listings:
1. Soul To Squeeze (Album Version)
2. Nobody Weird Like Me (Live) [Non-Album Track]
Review Date: 8/17/2023

I'm including the track listings here since SwapaCD's information for this CD does not.

Track Listings:
1. Regrets
2. Mouth
3. Throw
4. If
5. Pretty
6. Prescription
7. Laundrysky
8. Addiction
Review Date: 4/11/2024

This is one of the best CDs I've come across here that I would order if I didn't already have it. Most covers albums leave me just wanting to hear the original versions. These covers are different enough from the originals and/or obscure enough that I simply enjoy them. It features quite a few of my favorite artists as well.
Review Date: 8/10/2021

"In 'Symphonic Sunset' the inspired music of dusk meets with nature's nocturnal voices to celebrate time's most transitory, most glorious blink of an eye."

I'm including the track listings here since SwapaCD's information for this CD does not.

Performed by Austrian National Symphony. Approximate play 1 hour. Track Listings:
1. Intermezzo From Cavalleria Rusticana - Mascagni
2. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (2nd Movement) - Mozart
3. Four Seasons (Spring-2nd Movement) - Vivaldi
4. Scheharazade (3rd Movement) - Rimsky-Korsakov
5. Clarinet Concerto (2nd Movement) - Mozart
6. Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Faun - Debussy
7. Ballet Music From Faust (1st Movement) - Gounod
8. Symphony #5 (2nd Movement) - Tchaikovsky
9. The Nutcracker (Toy Flutes) - Tchaikovsky
10. Four Seasons (Winter-2nd Movement) - Vivaldi
Review Date: 6/7/2023

I'm including the track listings here since SwapaCD's information for this CD does not.

Track Listings:
1. For Love I'd Die
2. International
3. Reallife
4. Careful
5. MPH
6. Amateur Writer
7. Sunlover
8. Fall This Far
9. When I'm Found
10. Someone
Review Date: 10/6/2021

Tracy Chapman's debut album is brilliant from start to finish. Essential and perfect, it belongs in everyone's collection, for both its beauty and the issues she addresses. Her songwriting and singing are incredible.
Review Date: 10/20/2021

Woodface is a 5-star CD I think everyone should hear. At the time of this review, 1 copy is posted with both inserts. Neil Finn's brother Tim joined Crowded House for this album, and as is often the case when siblings write and sing together, the results are extraordinary. "Fall at Your Feet" is my favorite Crowded House song. "Chocolate Cake" is the only one here that took me some time to love. Overall, I think Crowded House should have been hugely successful in the U.S., rather than a one- or two-hit wonder here. Woodface is so good you might think you're listening to one of their greatest hits collections, but it is just their best album.
Review Date: 8/30/2023

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