THE ROLLING STONES/Grrr! Greatest Hits.... Pick your poison!

THE ROLLING STONES

GRRR! (GREATEST HITS)

AVAILABLE NOW!

2CD EDITION:

2012 two CD edition containing 40 tracks including two brand new recordings. The Rolling Stones are Rock 'n' Roll legends. Released to coincide with the band's 50th Anniversary, Grrrr! Greatest Hits is an excellent overview of The Rolling Stones' entire career beginning with their first single, cover of Chuck Berry's 'Come On', and culminating with two tracks recorded especially for this collection: 'Doom And Gloom' and 'One More Shot'. Against all odds, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ron Wood (who joined in '75) are still together and rocking more convincingly than bands 1/3 their age!

3CD EDITION:

2012 three CD digipak edition containing 50 tracks including two brand new recordings, The Rolling Stones are Rock 'n' Roll legends. Released to coincide with the band's 50th Anniversary, Grrrr! Greatest Hits is an excellent overview of The Rolling Stones' entire career beginning with their first single, cover of Chuck Berry's 'Come On', and culminating with two tracks recorded especially for this collection: 'Doom And Gloom' and 'One More Shot'. Against all odds, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ron Wood (who joined in '75) are still together and rocking more convincingly than bands 1/3 their age!

3CD EDITION (DELUXE PACKAGING):

Deluxe three CD edition containing 50 tracks including two brand new recordings, Comes housed in a DVD-sized box with rigid lift off top, five postcards and hardback book. The Rolling Stones are Rock 'n' Roll legends. Released to coincide with the band's 50th Anniversary, Grrrr! Greatest Hits is an excellent overview of The Rolling Stones' entire career beginning with their first single, cover of Chuck Berry's 'Come On', and culminating with two tracks recorded especially for this collection: 'Doom And Gloom' and 'One More Shot'. Against all odds, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ron Wood (who joined in '75) are still together and rocking more convincingly than bands 1/3 their age!

SUPER DELUXE BOX SET:

Super deluxe five CD edition includes bonus 7'' single, five art cards, a replica of their first ever gig poster and a hardback book, all housed in an attractive box. The first four CDs contain 80 tracks including two brand new recordings. The fifth CD contains additional recordings. The Rolling Stones are Rock 'n' Roll legends. Released to coincide with the band's 50th Anniversary, Grrrr! Greatest Hits is an excellent overview of The Rolling Stones' entire career beginning with their first single, cover of Chuck Berry's 'Come On', and culminating with two tracks recorded especially for this collection: 'Doom And Gloom' and 'One More Shot'. Against all odds, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ron Wood (who joined in '75) are still together and rocking more convincingly than bands 1/3 their age!



JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS/Greatest Hits review

JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS

GREATEST HITS

2CD SET

3.9.10

Seldom does an artist appeal to as many different musical genres as Joan Jett. 

Lovers of '70s rock and glam drool over her groundbreaking work with The Runaways.  

Punk fans love the Runaways and her gutsy, adrenaline fueled solo albums AND her production work on the Germs' sole album. 

Top 40, '80s and New Wave fans love her early '80s hits including "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", "Crimson & Clover" and others. 

Alternative fans love her for all those same reasons plus the influence she has had on scores of female-led bands that have followed in her wake.  

Classic Rock fans love her for her dedication to the true spirit of Rock 'n' Roll and for keeping the Rock flame alive, well and brightly lit. 

Me?  I love Joan Jett for all the above reasons... and for the fact that she has more killer songs than most bands before or since. There's not a Joan Jett album on the market that isn't filled with conviction, passion and fun.  You see, I love albums that sound as fun to make as they are to listen to and Joan might be a serious Rock 'n' Roller, but she always seems to be having fun. And whether or not you've thought of that, it is what makes a great record that much greater!

Joan Jett And The Blackhearts' Greatest Hits is one hell of a fun ride.  While all 20 tracks could have easily fit on one CD, the idea to break it up into a 2CD set is brilliant.  From the slightly 'vinyl worn' look of the CD  cover to the finely compiled set of tunes, this release puts the 'album'/LP experience back in the hands of the music buyer, no matter what format you purchase it on. (this release is also available on VINYL for those who are looking for the ultimate Joan Jett experience). 

All the hits are here including the aforementioned "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" and "Crimson & Clover" plus true classics like "Bad Reputation", "I Hate Myself For Loving You", "The French Song", "Light Of Day", "Everyday People" and many more.  Personal faves include "Fake Friends", "Backlash" and "(I'm Gonna) Run Away", which are amazing Pop nuggets that are considered true classics at Casa Spaz.  In fact, every song here is a classic.  Not a dud in the bunch.  From Punk-fueled rockers to Power Pop gems, Joan Jett is the fucking bomb!

Amongst the 21 tracks are re-recordings of three songs ("You Drive Me Wild", 'School Days" and "Love Is Pain") plus the previously unreleased Punk gem "I Want You". Eight of these songs are due to appear in the forthcoming Runaways biopic.

Now, with said Runaways film set to debut, the spotlight is back on Joan.  But let's be honest, she's about the only real light in Rock 'n' Roll these days. Joan Jett has integrity.  And balls.  Well, not literally, but you know what I mean.

All hail Joan Jett.  Rock 'n' Roll survivor and savior.

End of my love letter to Joan Jett,
Stephen SPAZ Schnee

RIGHT SAID FRED/Hits CD review

RIGHT SAID FRED/Hits

It is no secret that I absolutely LOVE Right Said Fred.  In fact, when the brotherly duo of Richard and Fred Fairbrass released their last studio album, I'm A Celebrity, I did an in-depth interview with them that remains my proudest moment here on the blog. (You can read Part One HERE. Part Two is HERE. Part Three can be found HERE). Top blokes, those two!

So, a year later, Right Said Fred release Hits, an album so chock full of goodness that it makes the perfect introduction to those who may have missed these tracks the first time around but also serves as a reminder to fans on how just great RSF are.  Fans will also dig the opportunity to find two brand new songs that are unavailable elsewhere (more on those later). 

So, unless you are European, you may only know the duo from their massive hit "I'm Too Sexy".  Yes, it's extremely infectious and is adored by millions of earthlings of all ages, from kids to grandparents. But most folks think of it as a novelty tune, and it kind of is (no disrespect to the Fairbrass Bros!).  Thing is, that tune sounds NOTHING like the rest of their repertoire!

There's a difference between dance music artists with a catchy Pop tune and Pop artists with a great tune that you can dance to.  Right Said Fred fall into the latter category.  Take away the dance beats and you've still got a great song. In fact, their CD singles have contained acoustic versions of the A-sides which have revealed a pair of tunesmiths that know their way around a good melody.

The easiest comparison is Pet Shop Boys, except RSF are a lot less pretentious and create music that they clearly enjoy playing. Pet Shop Boys, as good as they are, often sound bored. But not RSF! They seem to be having the time of their lives. Plus, with Fred being a guitarist, there is a lot more acoustic and electric guitar floating around on their albums than Pet Shop Boys.

While this Hits collection features practically all of their A-sides (and unfortunately includes nothing from I'm A Celebrity), non-fans are missing out on great album tracks.  But enough about that...

Hits is fantastic. Period. It's the bee's knees. It's music for the heart, soul and feet.  It's the perfect gift for Christmas, birthdays, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, President's Day and any other damn day of the year!  If you love songs that you can sing along to, dance to and shout from the rooftops, then Hits is for you!

While there are plenty of great moments here, some do sound a bit different (ie: remix but not re-recorded). I'll have to check with the Freds on that one.  I'm a shameless fan and own all the singles, but the album versions are what I'm more familiar with.  So, that's even more reason for y'all to run out to get it!

Now, in regards to the two new tunes: I initially didn't like "Sexy Bum" and felt it was kind of a step back for the boys, but I've grown to enjoy it.  Very catchy, fun and tongue-in-cheek (er... pun intended?).  On the other hand, "Right On The Kisser" is a fab tune that hits a home-run on first listen!  It's more in the vein of their finest moments like "Stand Up (For The Champions)", "Melanie" and "We Are The Freds".  It should be a massive hit. 

So, go buy this sexy little disc and play the hell out of it!  Drop your "I'm Too Sexy"-based bias and have some fun!

You're welcome,
Stephen SPAZ Schnee

JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS/Greatest Hits (CD and LP) available March 9th, 2010!

JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS

Greatest Hits

2 CD set

2 LP set

2010 two CD collection from one of the greatest Rock 'n' Roll artists of our generation, female or otherwise. Includes all her hits, re-recordings of three tracks ('You Drive Me Wild', 'School Days' and 'Love Is Pain') plus the previously unreleased 'I Want You'. Joan Jett has transcended genres and generations, becoming a respected Rock icon while doing it all her own way. From her days with The Runaways to her successful (and long-lasting) solo career, Joan personifies the Rock 'n' Roll dream. This two disc collection features 21 tracks including eight songs featured in the 2010 film The Runaways. Contains the hits 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll', 'Bad Reputation', 'I Hate Myself For Loving You', 'Cherry Bomb', 'Light Of Day', 'Fake Friends' and many more. 

Available from your local independent record store!

Please visit www.cimsmusic.com to find the one nearest you!