The success of Sublime was both a blessing and a curse for the band -- a blessing because the group and its lead singer/songwriter, Brad Nowell, were celebrated after his tragic death, and a curse because there's no way the rhythm section could successfully produce a follow-up. There was only one thing to do -- release everything left in the vaults as quickly as possible, since their audience would fade even if they waited one year. So, in 1997, a live and rarities EP entitled What I Got was relea...   [ read more ]

CD $13.25

Akin to work by Schneider's countrymen in Mouse on Mars, Moist is another interesting application of abstract, twisted electronics to what is (surprisingly) quite a straight-ahead rhythm section. Though the production isn't nearly as frenetic as the celebrated MoM sound, Dirk Dresselhaus turns that potential curse into a blessing by concentrating on just a few effects for each track and investigating their sonic possibilities. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

CD $11.38

Perhaps no other guitarists in the metal genre has been as influenced by Yngwie Malmsteen as Symphony X leader Michael Romeo. That has proved to be both a blessing and a curse for this gifted guitarist. His chops are certainly comparable, but his sound and style are often identical to his idol. Therein lies the problem with this recording and, for that matter, most of the post-Malmsteen shredders. Some of the music and themes here are all too familiar, as is Russell Allen's macho vocal style...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13