The CD Singles '88-'91 (Morrissey)

Morrisey's The CD Singles '88-'91 is as it says: a collection of the singles released during that period, with each getting its own disc and sleeve replicating its cover art. Basically, this is completely awesome. Morrissey has some great b-sides, and it's excellent to have them. Of course, the a-sides are also brilliant. Favorite discoveries include "Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference," "Get Off the Stage," "Our Frank," "Will Never Marry," "Girl Least Likely To," and Moz's versions of "Skin Storm" and "That's Entertainment." This set is awesome, both aurally and visually. My one complaint is that the sleeves make it hard to slip the disc in and particularly out with scuffing it.

Tracks:
"Suedehead" single
1. Suedehead
2. I Know Very Well How I Got My Name
3. Hairdresser on Fire
4. Oh Well, I'll Never Learn

"Everyday Is Like Sunday" single
1. Everyday Is Like Sunday
2. Sister I'm a Poet
3. Disappointed
4. Will Never Marry

"The Last of the Famous International Playboys" single
1. The Last of the Famous International Playboys
2. Lucky Lisp
3. Michael's Bones

"Interesting Drug" single
1. Interesting Drug
2. Such a Little Thing makes Such a Big Difference
3. Sweet and Tender Hooligan (live)

"Ouija Board, Ouija Board" single
1. Ouija Board, Ouija Board
2. Yes I'm Blind
3. East West

"November Spawned a Monster" single
1. November Spawned a Monster
2. He Knows I'd Love to See Him
3. Girl Least Likely To

"Piccadilly Palare" single
1. Piccadilly Palare
2. Get Off the Stage
3. At Amber

"Our Frank" single
1. Our Frank
2. Journalists Who Lie
3. Tony the Pony

"Sing Your Life" single
1. Sing Your Life
2. That's Entertainment
3. The Loop

"Pregnant for the Last Time" single
1. Pregnant for the Last Time
2. Skin Storm (live)
3. Cosmic Dancer (live)
4. Disappointed (live)

Wingspan: Hits and History (Paul McCartney & Wings)

Wingspan: Hits and History is a two-disc collection of some of Paul McCartney's output as part of Wings, as well as some of his solo hits. While such a long career as his, even if limited to the Wings period, couldn't fairly be represented by two discs, this set is about the best one on the market at the moment, and does a fair job of collecting some of the best hits and album tracks. Some of the songs hold up much better than others, but it's a good set and worth the $3 for which I found it. Worth checking out for those like me who want some Wings without investing in a large and expensive back catalogue.

Tracks:
Disc 1 (Hits)
1. Listen to What the Man Said
2. Band on the Run
3. Another Day
4. Live and Let Die
5. Jet
6. My Love
7. Silly Love Songs
8. Pipes of Peace
9. C Moon
10. Hi Hi Hi
11. Let 'Em In
12. Goodnight Tonight
13. Junior's Farm
14. Mull of Kintyre
15. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey
16. With a Little Luck
17. Coming Up (Live at Glasgow)
18. No More Lonely Nights

Disc 2 (History)
1. Let Me Roll It
2. The Lovely Linda
3. Daytime Nighttime Suffering
4. Maybe I'm Amazed
5. Helen Wheels
6. Bluebird
7. Heart of the Country
8. Every Night
9. Take It Away
10. Junk
11. Man We Was Lonely
12. Venus and Mars/Rockshow
13. The Back Seat of My Car
14. Rockestra Theme
15. Girlfriend
16. Waterfalls
17. Tomorrow
18. Too Many People
19. Call Me Back Again
20. Tug of War
21. Bip Bop/Hey Diddle
22. No More Lonely Nights (playout version)

The Best of The Waterboys '81-'90

The Best of The Waterboys '81-'90 is as the title says - a collection of some of the group's most popular songs released during that period. The 12-track retrospective includes the truly awesome song "The Whole of the Moon," as well as such goodies as "A Girl Called Johnny," "Fisherman's Blues," and "Don't Bang the Drum." Overall, it's a nice introduction to and overview of the diverse music of The Waterboys.

Tracks:
1. A Girl Called Johnny
2. The Big Music
3. All the Things She Gave Me
4. The Whole of the Moon
5. Spirit
6. Don't Bang the Drum
7. Fisherman's Blues
8. Killing My Heart
9. Strange Beat
10. And a Bang on the Ear
11. Old England (live)
12. A Man Is in Love

Songs 1993-1998 (Moby)

Moby's compilation Songs 1993-1998 is a nice overview of his period of recording at Elektra Records. Some of the songs aren't all that impressive, but others, particularly "Feeling So Real," are great listens. No, this material isn't quite up to par with the excellent stuff he'd release after leaving the label, but it's still worth hearing, and I'm glad I found my thrift store copy.

Tracks:
1. First Cool Hive
2. Go
3. Into the Blue
4. Now I Let It Go
5. Move (You Make Me Feel So Good)
6. I Like to Score
7. Anthem
8. Hymn
9. Feeling So Real
10. God Moving Over the Face of the Waters
11. Alone
12. Novio
13. The Rain Falls and the Sky Shudders
14. When It's Cold I'd Like to Die
15. Living
16. Grace

Young Modern (Silverchair)

Silverchair's 2007 album Young Modern contains the wonderful lead single "Straight Lines." While the album is quite different in feel from what I know of their previous work, it's excellent. I really enjoyed it as a whole, with such tracks as "If You Keep Losing Sleep" and "The Man That Knew Too Much" making a strong case for the band. I may have been somewhat slow to get this one, but I'm glad I finally did.

Tracks:
1. Young Modern Station
2. Straight Lines
3. If You Keep Losing Sleep
4. Reflections of a Sound
5. Those Thieving Birds (Part 1) / Strange Behaviour / Those Thieving Birds (Part 2)
6. The Man That Knew Too Much
7. Waiting All Day
8. Mind Reader
9. Low
10. Insomnia
11. All Across the World

Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin (Various Artists)

Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin is a tribute album that was released in 1991. It features many great artists doing excellent versions of songs composed by the pair and originally recorded by John. While there are some less than stellar performances here, like Wilson Phillips' take on "Daniel" and Jon Bon Jovi's version of "Levon," most of these are quite good. Highlights include Sinéad O'Connor's "Sacrifice," Kate Bush's "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)," Tina Turner's "The Bitch Is Back," and George Michael's "Tonight."

Tracks:
1. Eric Clapton: "Border Song"
2. Kate Bush: "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)"
3. Sting: "Come Down in Time"
4. The Who: "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)"
5. The Beach Boys: "Crocodile Rock"
6. Wilson Phillips: "Daniel"
7. Joe Cocker: "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word"
8. Jon Bon Jovi: "Levon"
9. Tina Turner: "The Bitch Is Back"
10. Daryl Hall & John Oates: "Philadelphia Freedom"
11. Rod Stewart: "Your Song"
12. Oleta Adams: "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
13. Bruce Hornsby: "Madman Across the Water"
14. Sinéad O'Connor: "Sacrifice"
15. Phil Collins: "Burn Down the Mission"
16. George Michael: "Tonight"

Red Hot + Dance (Various Artists)

The 1992 album Red Hot + Dance was released to raise awareness of (and money for the prevention of) AIDS. The opening three tracks are awesome non-album songs from George Michael, led by the hit single "Too Funky." The other two are quite strong as well and make the album a worthwhile purchase in and of themselves. However, other cool remixes found here include the If I Was Trev mix of Seal's "Crazy" and the Metamorphosis mix of Lisa Stansfield's "Change." Overall, quite a cool album.

Tracks:
1. George Michael: "Too Funky"
2. George Michael: "Do You Really Want to Know"
3. George Michael: "Happy"
4. Madonna: "Supernatural" (Original Arms House Mix)
5. Seal: "Crazy" (If I Was Trev mix)
6. PM Dawn: "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" (Richie Rich mix)
7. Lisa Stansfield: "Change" (Metamorphosis mix)
8. Young Disciples: "Apparently Nothing" (The Re-Rub)
9. Sabrina Johnston: "Peace" (nu-mix)
10. Sly & The Family Stone: "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (Todds CD mix)
11. Crystal Waters: "Gypsy Woman" (Joey Negro's mindmix)
12. EMF: "Unbelievable" (The Hovering Feet mix)
13. Tomandandy: "Theme From Red Hot + Dance" (Gothic mix)

Clivillés + Cole Greatest Remixes, Vol. 1 (Various Artists)

I took a chance on a cheap disc of Clivillés + Cole Greatest Remixes, Vol. 1. It includes some of the pair's hits, as well as mixes of tracks like Chaka Khan's "Clouds" and The Cover Girls' "Because of You," as well as various lesser-known tracks. It makes for a pleasant enough listen if you like that C+C early 90s style. Some cool stuff here. Not worth seeking out, but if you stumble upon it for cheap, grab it.

Tracks:
1. C&C Music Factory: "C&C Music Factory MTV Medley"
2. The Cover Girls: "Because of You"
3. Lydia Lee Love: "Don't Take Your Love Away"
4. Seduction: "Two to Make It Right"
5. Clivillés + Cole: "Pride (In the Name of Love" (Techno House version)
6. Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam: "Let the Beat Hit 'Em"
7. Clivillés + Cole: "Mind Your Business"
8. David Cole: "You Take My Breath Away"
9. Clivillés + Cole: "A Deeper Love"
10. Chaka Khan: "Clouds"
11. Billy: "True Love"
12. Sandée: "Notice Me"
13. Two Puerto Ricans, A Black Man & A Dominican: "Do It Properly"

The Collected Recordings: Sixties to Nineties (Tina Turner)

Tina Turner's The Collected Recordings: Sixties to Nineties is a three-disc career overview released in 1994. The first disc selects tracks from the Ike & Tina Turner years. The second disc is of b-sides, rarities, and minor hits. The third disc collects some of her biggest solo hits. While the first and third discs are cool, better overviews of each are done by other sets, such as, respectively, The Ike & Tina Story and All the Best. The appeal here lies in the second disc, which includes such great tracks as Turner's original version of "Don't Turn Around," released as the b-side to "Typical Male," an awesome live version of Prince's "Let's Pretend We're Married," released as the b-side to "Show Some Respect," and a remake of Robert Palmer's "Johnny and Mary," contributed to the soundtrack to the film Summer Lovers. It is for these and other great recordings found on the second disc, as well as a pleasant booklet, that I would recommend this set.

Tracks:
Disc 1 (Artist for all tracks is Ike & Tina Turner)
1. A Fool in Love
2. It's Gonna Work Out Fine
3. I Idolize You
4. Poor Fool
5. A Letter from Tina
6. Finger Poppin'
7. River Deep - Mountain High
8. Crazy 'Bout You Baby
9. I've Been Loving You Too Long
10. Bold Soul Sister
11. I Want to Take You Higher
12. Come Together
13. Honky Tonk Women
14. Proud Mary
15. Nutbush City Limits
16. Sexy Ida (Part 1)
17. Sexy Ida (Part 2)
18. It Ain't Right (Lovin' to Be Lovin')

Disc 2 (From here on out, artist is Tina Turner unless otherwise noted)
1. Acid Queen
2. Whole Lotta Love
3. Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)
4. A Change Is Gonna Come
5. Johnny and Mary
6. Games
7. When I Was Young
8. Total Control
9. Let's Pretend We're Married (live)
10. It's Only Love (Bryan Adams & Tina Turner)
11. Don't Turn Around
12. Legs (live)
13. Addicted to Love (live)
14. Tearing Us Apart (Eric Clapton with Tina Turner)
15. It Takes Two (Rod Stewart and Tina Turner)

Disc 3
1. Let's Stay Together
2. What's Love Got to Do With It
3. Better Be Good to Me
4. Private Dancer
5. I Can't Stand the Rain
6. Help!
7. We Don't Need Another Hero
8. Typical Male
9. What You Get Is What You See
10. Paradise Is Here
11. Back Where You Started
12. The Best
13. Steamy Windows
14. Foreign Affair
15. I Don't Wanna Fight

Alice Music 12 (Various Artists)

My friend made me a copy of Alice Music 12, a cool compilation put together by a local radio station of stripped versions of popular Hot AC hits. Some of them tend toward the boring side (e.g., Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly," which opens the album), while others end up sounding very cool (e.g., Matchbox Twenty's "Disease"). It's a very relaxing album, and while I wouldn't recommend going to great lengths to get this, it is worth hearing.

Tracks:
1. Colbie Caillat: "Bubbly" (Alice Lounge)
2. Matchbox Twenty: "Disease" (Alice Lounge)
3. Tristan Prettyman: "Madly" (Alice Lounge)
4. The Last Goodnight: "Pictures of You" (Alice Lounge)
5. Brandi Carlisle: "The Story" (acoustic)
6. Plain White T's: "Hey There Delilah" (Alice Lounge)
7. Mat Kearney: "Undeniable" (Alice Lounge)
8. Jeremy Fisher: "Cigarette" (Alice Lounge)
9. Ingrid Michaelson: "The Way I Am" (Alice Lounge)
10. The Spill Canvas: "All Over You" (Alice Lounge)
11. Anna Nalick: "Shine" (Alice Lounge)
12. Pat Monahan: "Her Eyes" (Alice Lounge)
13. Yellowcard: "Light Up the Sky" (Alice Lounge)
14. Maroon 5: "Won't Go Home Without You" (Alice Lounge)
15. Marié Digby: "Say It Again" (Alice Lounge)

Very / Further Listening 1992-1994 (Pet Shop Boys)

Pet Shop Boys' Very was released in 1993 and contains such hits as "Can You Forgive Her," "Liberation," "I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing," and "Yesterday, When I Was Mad." These are four great songs, and thankfully, they are representative of the quality of the album as a whole. Such other songs as "Dreaming of the Queen," "The Theatre," and a remake of Village People's "Go West" are all great, for different reasons.

In 2001, this album was released with an informative liner notes booklet, which itself is worth the purchase of this particular edition, as well as a bonus disc, Further Listening 1992-1994. This disc contains some great b-sides, single edits, demos, and other tracks from the period. Highlights include "Absolutely Fabulous," "Shameless," and the New Order-esque "Too Many People." Also included are a reading of Noel Coward's "If Love Were All" and a live performance of Blur's "Girls and Boys."

Overall, these are two great discs packed with quality music. Highly recommended.

Tracks:
Very
1. Can You Forgive Her?
2. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing
3. Liberation
4. A Different Point of View
5. Dreaming of the Queen
6. Yesterday, When I Was Mad
7. The Theatre
8. One and One Make Five
9. To Speak Is a Sin
10. Young Offender
11. One in a Million
12. Go West

Further Listening 1992-1994
1. Go West (1992 twelve-inch mix)
2. Forever in Love
3. Confidential (demo for Tina)
4. Hey, Headmaster
5. Shameless
6. Too Many People
7. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing (seven-inch version)
8. Violence (Haçienda version)
9. Falling (demo for Kylie)
10. Decadence
11. If Love Were All
12. Absolutely Fabulous (single version)
13. Euroboy
14. Some Speculation
15. Yesterday, When I Was Mad (single version)
16. Girls and Boys (live in Rio)

"Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" single (Erasure)

Erasure's single for "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" was released in 2003 off the album Other People's Songs. While their version can't top the original by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, it's pretty good. The single also includes a pair of cool remixes, which make it worthwhile, plus some remixes of other tracks from Other People's Songs which are also pretty cool. Recommended.

Tracks:
1. Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) (edit)
2. Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) (Dan Frampton radio mix)
3. Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) (Manhattan Clique extended mix)
4. Walking in the Rain (37B remix)
5. When Will I See You Again (37B remix)
6. Can't Help Falling in Love (acoustic)

"Somewhere" single (Pet Shop Boys)

Pet Shop Boys released their version of the West Side Story class "Somewhere" as a single in 1997. It's very dancey, very PSB, and quite awesome. Instant love. Also included on the single release: a remix of the a-side (Trouser Enthusiasts mix) which clocks in over ten minutes. It's not bad, but eliminates most of the vocals. Next is the single version of "A Red Letter Day" from the Bilingual album. That's an excellent song! Another over ten minute remix follows, this the Trouser Autoerotic Decapitation mix of "A Red Letter Day," and again, it's not bad, but it eliminates most of the vocals. Finally, a couple of b-sides are included: "The View From Your Balcony," which is a decent track, and "Delusions of Grandeur," an awesome song which originally showed up on a UK single for "A Red Letter Day." Overall, a great single.

Tracks:
1. Somewhere
2. Somewhere (Trouser Enthusiasts mix)
3. A Red Letter Day
4. A Red Letter Day (Trouser Autoerotic Decapitation mix)
5. The View From Your Balcony
6. Delusions of Grandeur

"Joseph, Better You Than Me" single (The Killers featuring Elton John and Neil Tennant)

Continuing their tradition of releasing an annual Christmas song, The Killers offered up a one-track CD single entitled "Joseph, Better You Than Me" in December of '08. The single is sold at Newbury Comics, and the track features Elton John and Neil Tennant. I think this is a good song and a definite upgrade from last year's "Don't Shoot Me, Santa."

Tracks:
1. Joseph, Better You Than Me

Greatest Hits (Enrique Iglesias)

Enrique Iglesias's Greatest Hits collects his biggest singles from his English-language albums. In addition to the pair of new tracks ("Away" featuring Sean Garrett and "Takin' Back My Love" featuring Ciara), I was excited to get the non-album single "Can You Hear Me" from earlier this year, which is awesome, as well as the great single version of "Not in Love" featuring Kelis. The other tracks are familiar songs from his albums, including favorites such as "Escape," "Be With You," and "Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song)." Overall, it's a nice collection of his English output.

Tracks:
1. Bailamos
2. Away (feat. Sean Garrett)
3. Hero
4. Be With You
5. Takin' Back My Love (feat. Ciara)
6. Rhythm Divine
7. Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song)
8. Tired of Being Sorry
9. Escape
10. Could I Have This Kiss Forever (with Whitney Houston)
11. Not in Love (featuring Kelis)
12. Don't Turn Off the Lights
13. Love to See You Cry
14. Maybe
15. Addicted
16. Somebody's Me
17. Can You Hear Me

It's Christmas (Ledisi)

My one Christmas album purchase for this year came in the form of Ledisi's It's Christmas. For those looking for excellent holiday albums, this one definitely qualifies. It includes a lot of excellent renditions of classic material, as well as a few originals, including the truly awesome song "Be There for Christmas." Ledisi has an amazing voice and excellent vocal control, and this album just continues to demonstrate that.

Tracks:
1. I'll Go
2. Children Go Where I Send Thee
3. Give Love on Christmas Day
4. Be There for Christmas
5. This Christmas (Could Be the One)
6. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
7. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
8. It's Christmas
9. What a Wonderful World
10. Please Come Home for Christmas
11. Silent Night
12. Thank You

Day & Age (The Killers)

The Killers' Day & Age is their latest release, containing the singles "Human" and "Spaceman." It's a pretty cool album, and while I don't see it supplanting their debut Hot Fuss as my favorite, it's definitely a worthwhile listen. My favorite track on here is "Joy Ride," although "Spaceman" is a close second.

Tracks:
1. Losing Touch
2. Human
3. Spaceman
4. Joy Ride
5. A Dustland Fairytale
6. This Is Your Life
7. I Can't Stay
8. Neon Tiger
9. The World We Live In
10. Goodnight, Travel Well

Off With Their Heads (Kaiser Chiefs)

Kaisers Chiefs' 2008 album Off With Their Heads is their third of three great albums. The album continues in the same style established by the first two, and it's still highly enjoyable. Lead single "Never Miss a Beat" is excellent, as are such tracks as "You Want History," "Tomato in the Rain," and "Always Happens Like That." Really, the whole album is great. Highly recommended.

(I bought Best Buy's edition, which includes the b-side to "Never Miss a Beat," "Sooner or Later," and a remix. Both are cool tracks worth having.)

Tracks:
1. Spanish Metal
2. Never Miss a Beat
3. Like It Too Much
4. You Want History
5. Can't Say What I Mean
6. Good Days Bad Days
7. Tomato in the Rain
8. Half the Truth
9. Always Happens Like That
10. Addicted to Drugs
11. Remember You're a Girl
12. Sooner or Later
13. Never Miss a Beat (Run Hide Survive remix)

Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (The Offspring)

The Offspring's latest album, Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace, was released earlier this year. It was led by the big hit "Hammerhead" and later spawned the even bigger hit "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid." It was my extreme love for the latter song that ultimately convinced me to pick up this album, which is yet another consistent if not entirely wowing offering from the group. The only song on here that I would call a misstep is "A Lot Like Me," for which I don't much care. Otherwise, the songs range from decent to great. I also like "Hammerhead" more than I did now that I've heard it in the context of the album. Other highlights include "Kristy, Are You Doing Okay," "Fix You," "Half-Truism," and "Stuff Is Messed Up."

Tracks:
1. Half-Truism
2. Trust in You
3. You're Gonna Go Far, Kid
4. Hammerhead
5. A Lot Like Me
6. Takes Me Nowhere
7. Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?
8. Nothingtown
9. Stuff Is Messed Up
10. Fix You
11. Let's Hear It for Rock Bottom
12. Rise and Fall

Carencro (Marc Broussard)

The appeal of Marc Broussard's 2004 album Carencro lay for me in the very catchy single "Where You Are." I was finally put over the edge in interest after seeing him open for Sara Bareilles earlier this year, and I'm glad I now have this album. Broussard does his soul-influenced style very well. The album is well put together and definitely worth hearing. The biggest hit here is "Home," but there are many other great tunes, including the second track, "Rocksteady."

Tracks:
1. Home
2. Rocksteady
3. Beauty of Who You Are
4. Save Me
5. Come Around
6. Where You Are
7. Lonely Night in Georgia
8. Saturday
9. The Wanderer
10. Hope for Me Yet
11. Let Me Leave
12. Gavin's Song