Say Anything...
by Twentieth Century Fox Home Video
Average Customer Review:
DVD (05 March, 2002)
list price: $14.98 -- our price: $11.24
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Editorial Review

Seven years after he earned his first screen credit as the writer of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, former Rolling Stone writer Cameron Crowe made his directorial debut with this acclaimed romantic comedy starring John Cusack and Ione Skye as unlikely lovers on the cusp of adulthood. The casting is perfect, and Crowe's rookie direction is appropriately unobtrusive, no doubt influenced by his actor-loving, Oscar®-winning mentor, James L. Brooks. But the real strength of Crowe's work is his exceptional writing, his timely grasp of contemporary rhythms and language (he's frequently called "the voice of a generation"), and the rich humor and depth of his fully developed characters. In Say Anything... Cusack and Skye play recent high school graduates enjoying one final summer before leaping into a lifetime of adult responsibilities. Lloyd (Cusack) is an aspiring kickboxer with no definite plans; Diane (Skye) is a valedictorian with intentions to further her education in Europe. Together they find unlikely bliss, but there's also turbulence when Diane's father (John Mahoney)--who only wants what's best for his daughter--is charged with fraud and tax evasion. Favoring strong performances over obtrusive visual style, Crowe focuses on his unique characters and the ambitions and fears that define them; the movie's a treasure trove of quiet, often humorous revelations of personality. Lili Taylor and Eric Stoltz score high marks for memorable supporting roles, and Cusack's own sister Joan is perfect in scenes with her onscreen and offscreen brother. A rare romantic comedy that's as funny as it is dramatically honest, Say Anything... marked the arrival of a gifted writer-director who followed up with the underrated Singles before scoring his first box-office smash with Jerry Maguire. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen

Reviews (189)

My favorite romantic comedy
This movie is wonderful.I saw it for the first time when it first came out and it has held a special place in my heart ever since.It is a simple movie, but that is where it holds most of its charm.The relationship is beautiful and feels and looks honest and sincere.When the love in a love story is as believable as this, you can't go wrong.The chemistry just works and John Cusack's character is somewhat of a hero, in my mind.This character is a true romantic, whose weaknesses are as charming as his strengths.

my own boombox tale
I tried holding the boombox blasting In Your Eyes outside of my girlfriend's house one night. She looked out her window, said what the hell are you doing? And that was that. She'd never seen the bloody movie!!

I still cry .......
I love this movie, it still give's me the goose bumps and I still cry when he holds that boom box up playing that song, it's still so power full. I think every woman wants a man that will do that! Excellent movie, you must buy it! ... Read more

Asin: B00003CXCI
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

Singles
by Warner Studios
Average Customer Review:
DVD (03 February, 2004)
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Editorial Review

A romantic comedy set against the background of the Seattle grunge scene of the late '80s and early '90s, Singles contains music and/or cameo appearances by the music groups who defined the movement, including Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Mudhoney, Screaming Trees, Mother Love Bone, and others. (For a definitive documentary treatment of the same pop-music phenomenon, see Hype!) The plot is really a series of interconnected stories about various Seattle singles--some of who are part of a couple, at least temporarily. Matt Dillon plays a longhaired rocker whose girlfriend (Bridget Fonda) is considering breast enlargement surgery. As Steve and Linda, Campbell Scott and Kyra Sedgwick are going through the awkward stages of a relationship--that point when quirky little traits that may have seemed attractive initially can evolve into major annoyances. It's a funny, sweet, enjoyable picture that captures some of the flavor of the Northwest, where writer-director Cameron Crowe relocated after marrying Seattle native Nancy Wilson of Heart. (The Wilson sisters also appear on the soundtrack as members of The Lovemongers.) Ten years before the release of Singles in 1992, Crowe was the "boy wonder" reporter for Rolling Stone magazine who went back to high school in order to research and write what became Fast Times at Ridgemont High. His other work includes Jerry Maguire (1996) and Say Anything (1989). --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Widescreen
• Dolby

Reviews (44)

Ah, to be twentysomething in Seattle in the early 1990s!
This film genuinely surprised me when I first saw it in theaters in 1992.For me, Bridget Fonda was the main draw at the time, as she received top billing and was on the movie posters with Matt Dillion.It felt like a bait and switch, because the film focuses more on Campbell Scott and Kyra Sedgwick's relationship, even though they aren't featured on the poster.That's no biggie, because I enjoyed their storyline much more than Bridget and Matt's...but I bet Campbell and Kyra weren't happy to be excluded on the poster/DVD cover.

This film has it all...great music suitable to the period (grunge/alternative), fantastic use of place (Seattle in a starring role), interesting and quirky characters, and true to life portrayal of young people in their twenties negotiating through life as they find their true passions.I especially loved Campbell Scott's performance and he is the true star of this film.His job is working on creating a "Super Train" to get Seattlites out of their cars and onboard for their commute, because he believes that "if you give them great coffee and great music, they'll ride."His girlfriend, played by Kyra Sedgwick, has her pulse on the masses, by telling him, "I still love my car, though."She's an environmentalist who drives an old gass guzzling clunker of an automobile, which Campbell pokes fun at after a lunch date.Its a joy to watch their relationship grow from initial doubts to lover games about how soon after a date one should call to other challenges that crop up.I especially love the scene when Linda (Sedgwick) peruses Steve's (Campbell Scott) record albums and gets nostalgic about her college days.That scene epitomizes the exciting "getting to know you" stage of dating and rings absolutely true.The choice of music in that scene, and throughout the entire movie really enhances the scenes overall.

Probably the only thing I didn't like about the film, which is just a tiny critique, was Janet's (Fonda) almost groupie-like infatuation with Cliff (Dillon), who didn't seem all that interested in her (until she moves on with her life).They are a mismatched pair if there ever was one...Janet with her ambitions for Grad School to pursue architecture, and Cliff the stereotypical Gen X slacker working menial jobs to support his rock band career that probably wouldn't have gone anywhere.Janet should have hooked up with the plastic surgeon who doesn't know how to have fun!

This dvd would be made even better with a director's commentary track.Cameron Crowe could divulge a lot of interesting information and insite jokes that the average filmwatcher might not catch (like when the mime says, "wooo woooo woooo" in response to a guy who says he works for Boeing, or when a reporter asks Cliff what the song "Touch Me, I'm Dick" is about--which is an inside joke on the actual song "Touch Me, I'm Sick").This film is so ingrained into the grunge culture of Seattle of the early 1990s, that future audiences could use a lot of background info a director's commentary would provide.At any rate, this film is a joy to watch, and cheaply priced that it's worth having in one's collection.And buy the soundtrack while you're at it.

Timeless and Brilliant...
This is still one of the best films ever made about being single.It is just CRAMMED PACKED FULL of truths, life lessons, real honesty and touching moments.I am ever amazed and I watch it with 'new eyes' each time.A great film, very highly recommended...!!!Over ten years old and not even slightly out of date...

Grungy Yuppies
My wife liked this one, so I guess this goes down as a sweet romantic comedy. My take is that Cameron Crowe was learning his stuff in 1992 and the infinitely better Almost Famous was yet to come. Bridget Fonda is the X Generation chick that loves the grungy Matt Dillion.She's kind of wholesome compared to flea picking Dillion, but to each their own. There are actually two main love stories here and Cambell Scott as the bullet train designer that will save 1992 Seattle from environmentally unfriendly autos falls for Kyra Sedgwick.She's also a Greenpeace office gal. In fact, Seattle seems to be inhabited by Howard Dean supporters. Naturally all the couples break up and then make up in a convoluted hour and a half.Love wins out and believe me its light stuff.

The music of this period is one of a kind.For maybe two years Rock and Roll wasn't a sham of the 1960's. But then Kurt kicked and it was over. These characters oddly don't seem to fit in to this type of grunge club nightlife.Except for Dillion, they are yuppie waiting to happen.
... Read more

Asin: 6305283516
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

Almost Famous Untitled - The Bootleg Cut (Director's Edition)
by Universal Studios
Average Customer Review:
DVD (04 December, 2001)
list price: $34.99 -- our price: $31.49
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Editorial Review

Almost Famous is the movie Cameron Crowe has been waiting a lifetime to tell. The fictionalization of Crowe's days as a teenage reporter for Creem and Rolling Stone has all the well-written characters and wonderful "movie moments" that we expect from Crowe (Jerry Maguire), but the film has an intangible something extra--an insider's touch that will turn the film into the ode to '70s rock & roll for years to come. We are introduced to Crowe's alter ego, William Miller (Patrick Fugit), at home, where his progressive mom (Frances McDormand, just superb) has outlawed rock music and sister Anita (Zooey Deschanel) has slipped him LPs that will "set his mind free." Following the wisdom of Creem's disheveled editor, Lester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman in an instant-classic performance), Miller gets on the inside with the up-and-coming band Stillwater (a fictionalized mixture of the Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin, and others). A simple visit with the band turns into a three-week, life-altering odyssey into the heyday of American rock. Of the characters he meets on the road, the two most important are groupie extraordinaire Penny Lane (Kate Hudson in a star-making performance) and Stillwater's enigmatic lead guitarist (Billy Crudup), who keeps stringing Miller along for an interview. From the handwritten credits (done by Crowe) to the bittersweet finale, Crowe's comedic valentine is an indelible, heartbreaking romance of music, women, and the privilege of youth. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

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• Color
• Closed-captioned
• DTS Surround Sound
• Widescreen
• Dolby

Reviews (495)

One word: Beautiful
Great script, great direction, great actors, great everything.
Amazing movie, and definitely in my top 10. I have to recommend this movie who hasn't seen it before, and to those people who haven't seen it, see it now, or else you will live a lonely life.

Great Rock 'n Roll, but I am SO OVER Cameron Crowe
OK, I can dig the cat having been a "rock 'n roll journalist" when he was a kid, but - damn, why does he have to stand there and say "HEY! I'M CAMERON CROWE AND LOOK HOW 'HIP' I AM!"Kate Hudson is stark raving gorgeous (so are the other "band aids,") but I cannot honestly say that I can remember ANYBODY from that era, riding around stoned in a bus and singing...Elton John? Oh, and yeah, I've done a bit of "rock and roll journalism" myself, so, you know, "been there-done that-bought the T shirt-moved on."

Almost perfect, Very Famous and Indeed Brilliant
As a writer I've come along way, and I know how difficult it can be working on a subject that is as dangerous as Rock and Roll, and learning how music is life and love. This film was great, I took a dull Sunday afternoon to watch this movie and I was entertained. ... Read more

Asin: B00005OM4Q
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-drama   

Jerry Maguire
by Columbia/Tristar Studios
Average Customer Review:
DVD (29 July, 2003)
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Editorial Review

One of the best romantic comedies of the 1990s, this box-office hit cemented writer-director Cameron Crowe's reputation as "the voice of a generation." Crowe could probably do without that label, but he's definitely in sync with the times with this savvy story about a sports agent (Tom Cruise) whose fall from grace motivates his quest for professional recovery, and the slow-dawning realization that he needs the love and respect of the single mom (Renée Zellweger in her breakthrough role) who has supported him through the worst of times. This is one of Cruise's best, most underrated performances, and in an Oscar-winning role, Cuba Gooding Jr. plays the football star who remains Jerry Maguire's only loyal client on a hard road to redemption and personal growth. If that sounds touchy-feely, it is only because Crowe has combined sharp entertainment with a depth of character that is rarely found in mainstream comedy. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

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• Color
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• Widescreen
• Dolby

Reviews (152)

One of Cruise's two best movies
This movie, along with "The Last Samurai" are, in my opinion, Tom Cruise's two best movies. I won't repeat the details expressed in other reviews.

This is a story of two men: Cruise (Jerry Maguire, the sports agent) learns to love someone instead of just his work; Cuba Gooding, Jr. (Rod) learns to play football with the emotion he previously showed only in his family life.

Renee Zellweger (Dorothy) gives a stunning performance. The scene in Dorothy's kitchen before Jerry and she go out to dinner is a magnificent piece of acting. She doesn't say a word - her facial expressions say it all. (Cameron Crowe, the director, said that Zellweger's performance in this scene was the best acting he had ever witnessed - and it was done in one take!)

Effective, Emotional, and Entertaining
JERRY MAGUIRE is one of those films that I enjoy, even though I know I shouldn't.Why not, you ask?Well, it has a bit of a hopelessly optimistic viewpoint, it wormed its way into our vocabulary, and, overall, it's a bit too sugary.But for some reason I continue to be affected by it whenever I watch it.It is the believable story of a man who wakes up during the course of his life, has a revelation, and then refuses to accept the consequences of that revelation until the end of the film.I love the fact that Tom Cruise fails to change overnight, that he is more complex than that.And while I'm on the subject, I normally don't hand out a lot of praise to Tom Cruise, but this is another excellent performance of late.Having just seen COLLATERAL, I am beginning to wonder why he has always been overlooked as nothing more than a heartthrob.His performance in JERRY MAGUIRE is quite moving and he was perfectly cast.

Ultimately, I like JERRY MAGUIRE because its main character stumbles throughout the entire course of the film.Just when you think the sugar-coated lenses are about to come down on the film (and it happens a lot), Cameron Crowe throws a wrench in the gears and things come crashing back down around Cruise's character.Like many of Crowe's films, it is a film that dabbles in several genres (romantic love-story, comedy, drama) and ends up something quite different, but altogether entertaining.I highly recommend it.

Certainly not worth the praise lavished upon it
I waited nine years or so to watch "Jerry Maguire" in order to allow "Show Me the Money" mania to subside. I think we're almost there. Although, "Jerry Maguire" references are not completely gone (the "you had me at fresh dough" parody, for example.) Here's to hoping that the ad is just a local thing but I'm not sure.

I still can't hear the "Secret Garden" song without my skin crawling due to its astounding overplay in this movie's heyday.

To make matters worse, this movie is absolutely unworthy of its place in pop culture. I remember how endearing Jonathan Lipnicki was in the 30-second previews, but watching him at feature-length is excruciating--like slicing yourself with a dull and rusty razorblade.

I don't know how to feel about what the film's success did for its cast and crew. On the one hand, it did solidify Cameron Crowe's reputation and cleared the way for him to make "Almost Famous." On the other hand, it made Cuba Gooding Jr. a star, which was a crime against humanity. This role made and ruined his career at the same time. It is one of his most annoying performances, and that's saying something. Worse, because it was a hit it is what most of his subsequent performances were modeled after.

"Jerry Maguire" was definitely not worth the wait. Rent "Almost Famous" instead... By the way, it took every ounce of restraint I possess not to title this review "show me the movie." You're welcome. Besides, it would have been counter-productive. It wasn't a total loss; there were some laugh-outloud moments hence the second star. Still, my expectations were inflated, and that is not my fault. Blame it on "show me the money" (thank God they didn't use that title for a sequel, I'm surprised they resisted the urge.)
... Read more

Asin: 0800141741
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-drama   

No Depression
by No Depression
Average Customer Review:
Magazine
list price: $18.00 -- our price: $31.95
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Editorial Review

The ideal No Depression reader believes that Johnny Cash and Jeff Tweedy are both gods and for similar reasons: they respect tradition enough to rebel against it. The same can be said for the magazine that covers them with a similar restless energy. Started in the mid-'90s as a vehicle to cover alt-country upstarts, No Depression has since broadened its range to include all kinds of roots music, including folk, blues, bluegrass, indie rock, and even the occasional classic-rock icon (but only when former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant is singing Bob Dylan and Bukka White covers). It's fitting that the name of the magazine comes from a 1990 Uncle Tupelo album title, which in turn was borrowed from a Carter Family song lyric from the '30s, because No Depression is interested in music that draws on a rich rural history but is now played and enjoyed by urban hipsters as well as roots traditionalists. Although the writing and design tend to be as utilitarian as a pair of denim overalls, each issue is jammed full of reviews (of CDs, concerts, movies, and books), short profiles of regional musicians, and lengthy features devoted to major artists (recent subjects have included Guy Clark, Dolly Parton, Linda Thompson, and Rhett Miller). If you prefer your country music shrink-wrapped by Nashville, look elsewhere. However, if you think Austin, Texas, is the music world's mecca, No Depression is probably for you. --Keith Moerer ... Read more

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Reviews (4)

Bush won. Kerry lost. This is the reality,
The good....
This is a decent little magazine that fills a need for folks like myself who love Americana music and they do a decent job of covering the multitude of styles that fall under that umbrella. It's cool when I see a review of some obscure artist's CD that I already have in my collection. Plus they do a good job of covering regional music scene.

The writing and editing are okay. Plus I love looking at the display ads from bands and record labels I've never heard of. Very cool.

The bad....
An annoying habit of injecting politics into the most inappropriate places. When I read an article about Steve Earle I expect to encounter politics that I may not agree with. This is fine. When I read a review of British band Grand Drive's latest CD I don't expect the review to begin with gratuitious America bashing. A writer bemoaning the fact that Ray Charles got short shrifted publicity-wise because his death was overshadowed by Ronald Reagan's passing was just...well, bizarre.

They should keep the politics to a mininum and only when it is central to the theme of the piece.

I probably won't renew my subscription.

they need a new editor
great bands, great music, wordy writers, lazy editors, busy & difficult to read layout.

Read, Read, Read, and Listen
This magazine was founded to follow the alt-country music, a label it follows with the tag "(whatever that is)."Here's a hint--if you don't know what alt-country music is, this magazine isn't for you.

Alt-country is music based on the rural traditions of the 1930's and 1940's, interpreted primarily by urban-dwelling musicians, addressing itself to modern concerns.This sounds like a broad umbrella, and it is.No Depression magazine has had to cast its net wider and wider over the last few years.A recent issue ran obituaries for Johnny Cash, Floyd Tillman, and Warren Zevon on adjacent pages.

Because the music this magazine focuses on tends to have a cult following and little radio airplay, you can be sure of discovering something between these covers you haven't heard before.Simply opening the magazine is a learning experience.Page after page of album reviews are often followed by readable, throrough-going feature articles, concert reviews, DVD listings, and more.Even the ads are mostly well-constructed and informative.

This is an easy magazine to read.The writing is crisp and unpretentious, and the structural design mimics the willfully primitive rural art of the Great Depression.You can read a lot very quickly and not feel like you've skimmed past the real meaning.

If you can have more than two alt-country or Americana albums in your CD collection, this magazine is for you.You'll stay ahead of the trends, you'll know the best raw music being made, and you'll always know what you're looking for when you go to the record store.And what's more: you'll hang onto back issues, because they're so completely worth rereading.There's no higher praise for a culture magazine than that. ... Read more

Asin: B00006KQC3
Subjects:  1. Literature Of Music    2. Entertainment    3. Music   

Bass Player
by Music Player Group
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Reviews (11)

Still waiting!!
I ordered this mag in January and here it is, April, and I still haven't received the first issue.I have been on the phone with Synapse and they told me TWICE that they would get back to me with info on my subscription within 24 hours and I still haven't heard from them.The mag is great but the subscription service seems far below Amazon's usual service.

Where's My Mag?
We have been waiting since August....OF LAST YEAR!!!
The check has cleared...you have all of our information....what are you waiting for?
Let's see...it has now been 5 MONTHS!!!!!!!
Did you rip us off?

For Metalheads and Punks
While BP does do the occasional article on a straight-ahead jazz player or upright player, most of the editorial content (and what seesm like 90% of the cover photos) are deoted to the tattooed, pierced and punked up shredder of the month. Sure, there's actually a colum devoted to upright playing- sort of- but overall this is a magazine for young rockers. For them, it's great. For me... I'm still looking. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7OU
Sales Rank: 350
Subjects:  1. Entertainment    2. Music    3. Musical Instruments    4. Electronics & Audio   

Banjo Newsletter
by Banjo Newsletter
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list price: $25.00 -- our price: $27.95
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Banjo Newsletter
As a newcomer to playing the banjo (< 1 year), I find the Banjo Newletter to be a wealth of information about the 5 string banjo and the various styles.They also review banjo teaching aids (books, CD's, DVD's etc.) as well as recent releases of CD's of interest to the banjo world.Each issue has a large range of articles for all interests, including interviews with musical celebrities, and lots of songs in tablature format.The paper newletter is supplemented with a very robust web site with MP3's that can be downloaded.This is very helpful to hear the timing of various licks.You can also order older newsletters with interviews or songs of interest.
All in all, the money for the subscription is money very well spent.The banjo newsletter authors really love their work and it shows!Keep up the excellent newsletter!

This is the best
This has to be the best on-going publication for five string banjo players in the world. If you have a question, it will probably be answered in Banjo Newsletter. Songs, tabs, licks, interviews, tips, tricks, you name it. If it has anything to do with the five string banjo it will be in Banjo Newsletter. Truly a labor of love presented by people who want to see this wonderful part of Americana remain alive and not flushed down the toilet. Highly recommended.

THE magazine for 5-stringers
I really don't have much to say except that if you love playing the 5-string banjo then you will find something of interest and amusement in every issue of BNL.It is a real bargain and clearly a labor of love of its editors and writers. ... Read more

Asin: B00006K58C
Sales Rank: 228
Subjects:  1. Literature Of Music    2. Entertainment    3. Music    4. Musical Instruments    5. Electronics & Audio   

Remix
by Primedia Business Magazines & Media Inc.
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Great mag
This is an great magazine - slick look, lots of great alternative artist interviews - a must read for the aspiring hip hop producer who needs production and performance tips and techniques.

good mag for dj's and producers
Remix features good interviews and features on the top producers and dj's in the world.They also provide contact information on record labels looking to expand their artist roster, and provide tips and tricks for producers and dj's to hone their craft. ... Read more

Asin: B00005UMOY
Sales Rank: 980
Subjects:  1. Entertainment    2. Music   

Alternative Press Magazine
by Alternative Press Magazine, Inc.
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Magazine
list price: $47.40 -- our price: $12.00
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Reviews (31)

do not subscribe to magazines through amazon.
I subscribed on august 27th. My magazine did not show up for six months! I emailed them to ask what the hell. Six months, come on. I was refunded to dollars. I finally recieved my first issue. Its been more than a month since then and i have yet to recieve my second. When people i know who subscribed from ap, have gotten their magazines. This is absurd, i'm cancelling my order.

sort of alternative press
Yes, I do read Alternative Press, or parts of it anyway. To their credit they do cover some great alternative bands and their new "unsigned band of the month" feature is pretty cool, but sadly the cover stories are usually misguided pieces about the likes of Good Charlotte or Yellowcard. Their bizarre marriage of punk/indie and uber-mainstream pop-punk make for a painful experience. The new "Big Takeover" issue speaks volumes of the diversity of their readership: Good Charlotte was in the top 5 for both the "Artist that I wish would Die" and "Artist with the Most Integrity" categories.

In short AP consistently makes me hate them by covering some of the crappiest, least alternative bands out their, but they draw me back in by putting the words "motion", "city", and "soundtrack" together on a regular basis.

Try a different magazine.
I used to really like "Alternative Press", but lately I have been incredibly irritated by it. A lot of the magazine has turned into fashion tips for how to be more hardcore. The magazine tries to have "shock value", I think, but being increasingly geared to younger people with gross taste in music, it's not shocking, its annoying.

Also, every month, the magazine has some column where they basically trash classic bands, like ELO and such. I find this ridicuous, considering the kind of junk they put in their magazine, and this particular column really irks me.

However, I do listen to some of the bands which they feature in their magazine, and I like to read the CD reviews and lists of CDs to be released. This does not save the magazine from being awful, though.

So, whatever your taste in music is, this magazine will most likely annoy you. Spare yourself the headache. ... Read more

Asin: B000060MHK
Sales Rank: 287
Subjects:  1. Entertainment    2. Music   

Spin
by Miller Publishing
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Founded in 1985 by Penthouse publisher Bob Guccione's son, Bob Jr., Spin magazine aimed to occupy a space forged and outgrown by Rolling Stone, which had since moved on from counter-culture reporting to a more pop-culture focus. Due to its well-funded birth, Spin rode the wave of the burgeoning alternative rock movementand was afforded the luxury of being as controversial as it wanted, forsaking at times somewhat slanted reporting in favor of the punch and jibe. Nonetheless, it brought into America's peripheral vision early stories of the ravages of AIDS in Africa, in addition to standard artist interviews and album reviews. Switching from a tabloid format to a glossy perfect-bound publication, the magazine now reports on fleeting music trends and the Next Big Thing more than it unearths alternative-rock gems, but it still does a good job of uncovering behind-the-scenes-stories, such as the violent acts and deplorably unhygienic conditions of 1999's Woodstock III music festival, in a way no other music magazine does. When the Beastie Boys released Hello Nasty in 1998, Spin published three different editions of the magazine--each with a separate headshot of one member of the renegade hip-hop group. Three years later, Rolling Stone copied the gimmick, featuring the members of boy band 'N Sync individually on five different covers. If Spin's influence in rock journalism was ever in question, this event provides irrefutable proof. --Beth Massa ... Read more

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Reviews (43)

Decent overview
Ok - This is not pitchforkmedia.com - the online music review who's more concerned with prose rather than the actual reviewing of music BUT nevertheless the greatest source out there to new music. This ain't Rolling Stone neither, who'd have a better place in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame rather than the newstand, as it doesn't mean anything anymore to contemporary music fans. This is the guy stuck in the middle, between the one who does not want the intellectual crap of the one, neither the commercial junk from the other. Hence, a 3-star for ideal pulp, just what you want if you have 10 minutes to spend on the toilet! But then again, this is a daily occupation...

Egocentric Trash
I'm sure that this review isn't unique.Spin rotates the same ten bands on its cover, not to mention the ridiculous articles written within. By the time they get done describing the 'euro-punk-indie-pop artist that just slammed them in the face on their way to the train station with their jazzed up sound' I've completely forgotten the point of thier article.They must have the greatest time just sitting around finding how many contradictory adjectives they can tag onto useless music and still manage to say nothing. They sound like cyber-nerds who need to get out a little more and stop getting thier info from mtv.com. I'm sure that i've learned more about what thier editors do in the office on any given day than anything remotely close to music while reading spin.Next time you see it on the stands, I suggest you spin in another direction.

Where did my subsciption go?
I got my first month(a horrible Green Day issue)and then nothing! Uh,what up? Its not that good of a magazine,I just want what I paid for. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7SU
Subjects:  1. Entertainment    2. Music    3. Literature Of Music   

Guitar One Magazine
by Future Network USA
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Sucks
If your're into, classic rock, and metal it's okay, but if you like good music like, Emo, Screamo, Punk don't get it. It never tabs any good songs, and it's stories are long adn boring. It covers slipknot like they'r gods, they suck. Listen to me

Incomplete!!!
This mag subscription is INCOMPLETE!It doesn't come with the CD.You can hear all the music from the magazine online but why bother, if you can get it with the CD for a little more?

With the CD, this magazine deserves a "5-star" rating.This mag has a great blend of styles and artists.It gives you a great number of articles that teach everyone from the beginner to the intermediate-advanced player.It doesn't matter if you play rock, jazz, country, blues, etc.There's always something in here for you. The articles are not geared toward one specific style, which is a problem I've always had with Guitar Player magazine because they are totally one-track minded when it comes to the material.Most of the tips are geared towards rock guitarists.I am a guitarist that plays latin jazz, gospel, and some rock and Guitar Player doesn't cover these topics.If you want a good, all-around magazine, check this one out.I've been playing for 21 years.It's my number 1 pick. :-)

BUY DIRECTLY FROM PUBLISHER FOR SAME PRICE
I recommend buying this magazine directly from the publisher rather than Amazon. They have the exact same price. In fact, you can get 24 issues for $22.00. When I found out about this I called Amazon to upgrade to the two year subscription. They told me they could not honor that price. Guitar one told me they could not change the order as well. Buyer Beware. The quality of the magazine is excellent, however. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7QK
Sales Rank: 205
Subjects:  1. Entertainment    2. Music    3. Musical Instruments    4. Electronics & Audio   

Vibe
by Miller Publishing
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Editorial Review

Slicker and more uptown than competitors The Source and XXL, Vibe covers hip-hop culture in its many forms. The primary focus, of course, is music, but urban fashion also receives lavish treatment, and each issue contains a least a dash of movies, technology, sports, and politics. Celebrities tend to dominate its well-photographed and well-designed pages, but there's also room for more substantive fare (such as a touching report on "chickenheads"--rap-world groupies--who deserve better than they get from their often-abusive lovers). Covering a culture that is frequently misogynistic and homophobic, Vibe is both women- and gay-friendly, and surprisingly broad in its interpretation of who's cool enough for hip-hop: Elton John (for his Grammy duet with Eminem), maverick senator Jim Jeffords, and Seattle Mariners baseball star Ichiro Suzuki. --Keith Moerer ... Read more

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You can't beat the price
For the price Vibe is okay, but it lost it's sizzle somewhere during the last five years.I look forward to Vibe Vixen, perhaps it will stirup my interests again.True, there are a lot of ads now, but the articles are interesting.What I miss about the magazine is that it seems like they never "break" any news anymore.Perhaps it's the Internet's fault, but I remember a time when the details of an artists Vibe interview really created a buzz (like in 99 when Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes balked to Vibe her personal feelings about the "Fan Mail" album), but now everything is just pretty mediorcre with this magazine. It's also totally predictable.When someone they consider "hot" has a product coming out you know they will be on the cover, and when I saw Pharrell and Gwen Stefani on the cover I thought that was a bit of a stretch.It's still a good magazine but I find I enjoy Blender and Sister 2 Sister much better, but for the price I will continue to support this magazine.

VIBE has it going...
I'd been a long-time fan to VIBE since they been out. I 'member I first lay eyes on em by checking the covers on 'em but not reading by 'em. y'know. They such knockouts. Yeah they definitely keepin' it real no matter what. I believe they'll be around more and more since them magazines u read all the time like ESSENCE, EBONY and JET. I still have love for them also. But to say VIBE doesn't suck. I'd never been a subscriber since last year and I definitely enjoy it to this day. I actually read the XXL and Source magazine most often now. Same w/ Upscale, Campus Life, just to name others. I luv they magazine to death man, knahmsayin. Ya'll keep it rocked y'heard. Nobody's bringin' the hype on ya fellaz. Keep it UP!!!

Not The Same
Where are the critiques? The articles lack any critical substance. Whoever is hot at the moment will get their behind kissed. It doesn't matter that the album is usually not worth all the hype, VIBE will go along with the flow. On top of that, there are more ADs now than ever before. Even articles that could have been decent are cut down to a page or so for the sake of saving advertising space. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7TE
Subjects:  1. Entertainment    2. Music    3. Literature Of Music   

Guitar Player
by Music Player Network
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Better than the rest
To distinguish my taste from others, let me say at the outset that I'm not a big fan of tab. This "recent" development in music magazines was never one I was fond of because, if for no other reason, I figure you (musician) need to figure it out on your own. If you can't, don't play it. That's just my opinion, and I'm obviously out voted given the sheer numbers of tab-filled mags on the market.
That said, I like this magazine, perhaps a bit less than I did twenty-five years ago. I do like the buzz section, the album reviews are excellent, the gear stuff gets a bit much, but what else would a guitar playing magazine feature? The articles/interviews are still better than the others because they don't seem as juvenile. I get the feeling that Guitar One et al are going for the teen player audience (if you need evidence, check out the Top 200 Guitar Albums issue) and, while GP has altered it's look/feel a bit towards that end, they still remain faithful to their roots. They do have transcriptions, but they are generally single page specifics, not scores of newspaper print-pages detailing the latest popular songs.Instead, they chose to make song-length transcriptions available on their website for their subscribers (and a huge variety every month, I might add). I'd rather that than have it all stuffed into the magazine. Besides, there are scores of free tab sites on the web (granted, many are chock full of errors) so if you really need to know how to play a song and can't figure it out on your own, go to the web.
GP is the best on the market for my buck.It could be better, but in order to appeal to a large market, it's impossible to make everyone completely happy.

Guitar product reviewer....
Wow...There's a lot to see in this magazine...A lot of product reviews and a lot of advertisements.If You're looking for something to improve your playing, this is not the right source.

Too narrow...
When I read a magazine, I want it to present different styles of guitar.I want it to teach me new things as well as introduce and review new gear.Guitar Player mag just doesn't cut it.It is a magazine based almost exclusively on rock.It's fine if you're a rock musician but what about the rest of us guitar players (jazz, blues, country, classical, flamenco)?The product reviews are OK but leave much to be desired.In my opinion, this magazine's perspective is too narrow.The guitar has so much to it and this magazine just doesn't show it well.
PS- I've been playing guitar for 21 years (gospel, jazz, fusion, latin).Personally, Guitar One mag is one hundred times better than this magazine. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7QL
Sales Rank: 668
Subjects:  1. Entertainment    2. Music    3. Literature Of Music    4. Musical Instruments    5. Electronics & Audio   

Guitar World
by Future Network USA
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The same songs tabbed over and over again
I've read this magazine since I first picked up a guitar in 1989.Since then, it's had its ups and downs, as it tends to follow the latest trends.In 1989 the focus was hair metal; in 1992 it was thrash.It 1995 it was in a slump of four chord songs and songs that appeared in previous issues.I believe "Crazy Train", "Walk", "Free Bird" and "Crossroads" have probably each appeared about a dozen times since 1990. My subscription ran out in the late 90's, but I keep an eye out for it on the news stands.It's currently in another slump, one where the tabs are typically either nu-metal, garage rock like The Vines, or the aforementioned reprints.However, all is not lost; there are still good columns, although the interviews aren't that great anymore.And I think that there was an At The Gates song in there not too long ago.
The bottom line is, buy it from the news stands when you see songs that you like in it.That way you can choose the best from the competition (which tends to tab the same songs at the same time, even the classic rock ones).

i love both guitar one and guitar world
i love both guitar one and guitar world, but i like guitar one a Tiny bit more. But i love both magazines

Good gone Bad
I was a gung-ho Guitar World reader from about '96-'01...my subscription ran out sometime in '03... but the quality of the publication had so seriously fallen, I didn't care to spend the money on it any longer.Guitar World has become SO mainstream that it's pretty difficult to put up with.I havn't felt that the interviews were good for a long time.It doesn't seem the interviewERS are musicians.Not much in there is for musicians anymore (just like Rolling Stone).There are tabs in there, but they generally aren't written the way the artist plays the song... I still have all of my old issues, and refer to them often, but as for the new ones...buy 'em on the stand when they've got something interesting. ... Read more

Asin: B000060MH0
Sales Rank: 129
Subjects:  1. Entertainment    2. Music    3. Electronics & Audio    4. Musical Instruments   

Rolling Stone
by Wenner Publishing
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Editorial Review

Founder and publisher Jann S. Wenner's brainchild remains the standard by which rock & roll magazines are measured, though even its most fervent boosters would concede there've been some growing pains for RS as it's strived to remain relevant through the decades. The erstwhile baby-boomer bible mixes fleshy covers of today's alluring celebs with coverage of graying rockers from the magazine's heyday. In addition to celebrity interviews, stalwart features such as CD reviews and Random Notes (the mag's long-running gossip section) provide familiar reading for older readers, as does the publication's superior political and cultural coverage. But the bulk of Rolling Stone's features are aimed at the younger pop-culture set. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

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Corporate magazines still suck
Rolling Stone hasn't been a credible music journal for at least 15 years, and that's being extremely kind.Rather they are a marketing outlet for the corporate sponsors of whatever music is being pushed at the moment.That's of course when they deign to write about music at all.There are far too many politically oriented articles from an upper middle class armchair liberal point of view to catagorize Rolling Stone as strictly a music magazine.And let's not mention the extremely annoying fashion layouts.RS is more of a lifestyle journal that panders to white and mostly liberal middle class tastes and culture.I don't care about the political bent of the magazine so much as I care about the pop garbage that Rolling Stone writes about.They almost without exception shill for the flavor of the month rather than write any responsible criticism.Occasionally the articles are informative, but for the most part Rolling Stone is an irrelevant device to generate advertising dollars.

You get what you pay for
Isn't it amazing that the cost of a Rolling Stone subscription is barely enough to cover the cost of postage?The magazine is mostly advertisements, and the rest of it isn't worth reading.I grew up on Rolling Stone, but have realized that if I want a decent music review about music I care about, I'll go to pitchforkmedia.com.Even SPIN is better than this crap.

RS: "Music Experts" who don't know CRAP about music.
Anyone who would consider putting a list of the 100 Greatest Artists ever without Pink Floyd, Queen, or Metallica has no knowledge of music whatsoever.

Also who the hell would put Kurt Cobain and Jack White on a list of the 100 greatest guitarists ever above Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads? Also not to mention that they didn't even include Slash or Malmsteem on the list.

This magazine makes me sick to the stomach. Basically all they do is praise artists who have good lyrics but crappy music, like Bob Dylan. They also need to get over their constant worship of U2, because even when they put out those 2 awful albums 'Zooropa' and 'Pop', they did nothing but praise them for their over-produced experimental crap.

And what can we say about their devotion towards 'The White Stripes' and 'The Strokes' and hail them as the BEST NEW THING, while we've been waiting for years for these people to make albums worth their praise. Yet, Rolling Stone rather ignores great new artists like Muse, Franz Ferdinand, and Keane.

I know you guys are probably potheads, but perhaps you should consider putting the hash pipe to the side and think about what you write because it's hurting the REAL ARTISTS. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7SJ
Subjects:  1. Entertainment    2. Music