Month: December 2011

CD Reviews

CD Review: Queen

(amazon.com)

Queen
Queen 40, Vol. 2: News of the World, Jazz, The Game, Flash Gordon, Hot Space
Hollywood Records
By David Chiu

From 1977 to 1982, Queen were at the peak of their popularity and power through hit albums, singles and concerts. It was a period during which they gradually veered away from the elaborate productions of the earlier records but without compromising the distinctive hard rock sound.
Continue reading “CD Review: Queen”

CD Reviews

CD Review: Neil Diamond

(amazon.com)

Neil Diamond
The Very Best of Neil Diamond
Columbia/Legacy
by David Chiu

There has to be something special about an artist whose popularity still remains high into his sixth decade of music. That certainly applies to Neil Diamond, whose body of work traces back to the era of ’60s Brill Building pop music. Continue reading “CD Review: Neil Diamond”

CD Reviews

CD Review: Pink Floyd

(amazon.com)

Pink Floyd
Animals
The Final Cut
A Momentary Lapse of Reason
Capitol/EMI
By David Chiu

No doubt that Pink Floyd’s legend can be attributed to the mammoth success and popularity of hit records such as The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and The Wall. But during the period from Dark Side to The Division Bell, Floyd also made records that perhaps weren’t as popular, critically-acclaimed or commercially huge than the aforementioned albums, but in retrospect are underrated and deserve another listen. With Animals, The Final Cut and A Momentary Lapse of Reason—which were recently reissued individually and as part of the Discovery boxed set, this is a good time to look back on them. Continue reading “CD Review: Pink Floyd”

CD Reviews

CD Review: Kate Bush

(amazon)

Kate Bush
50 Words for Snow
Fish People/Anti
By David Chiu

For an artist who is notorious for taking years to make albums, Kate Bush delivered not one but two records within a calendar year! The first one, Director’s Cut, a reworking of songs from The Sensual World and The Red Shoes, came out earlier this year; this latest one, 50 Words For Snow, is her first collection of all-new material since 2005’s Aerial. Continue reading “CD Review: Kate Bush”