traditionalists

Le Mani Destre Recise Degli Ultimi Uomini
$9.99
This is largely a return to the structure of Secret Chief 3's first album, which is to say: a very large collection of short pieces. However, whereas SC3's first album had some long tracks you could lose yourself in - some of which stand out as the album's finest music - this one doesn't. It pertains to be the soundtrack to a non-existent Italian horror movie (a gimmicky idea, IMO) or possibly just individual tracks from several non-existent Italian horror movies. The style is unique, I guess, and does evoke the cheap, melodramatic, bizarro B-movie feel of its inspiration. That said, it doesn't make for memorable listening. Too many tracks are amelodic, chaotic, comprised of ambient sounds and shrill outbursts in random sequence. Other tracks sound like the seed of a song - building towards a melody, a complexity, a path into a full song - that never grew. Too few have actual fully-fleshed music. Giallo Horror Film music is a vulgar and superficial style, ultimately; a glaring sound to go with the lurid imagery. It ought not be the inspiration for artists as talented as these. Disheartening in the extreme.

On the heels of some really excellent and inspired music, choosing the soundtrack style of daft, Italian horror movies of yore is a terrible move. Rather than continuing their fantastic exploration into the unique fusion of Middle Eastern and Western music styles, they chose to goof around. Where has the long-promised Book of Souls gone?

The album is not without some merit. Many tracks contain moments with melodies both mysterious and hypnotic. Sadly, these moments are fleeting, the music always moving on to something else. Something less.

Having waited so long I am bitterly disappointed with this album. It is the least of their works by far. By a long shot.

Devo - New Traditionalists (Antidisestablishmentarianism) - 1 1/2" Button / Pin
$1.49
This button is the perfect affordable accessory! It is also great to help make your luggage or backpacks more unique and easy to identify. Collect all your favorite bands & funny sayings! WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF BUTTONS TO CHOOSE FROM!

Shmuel Yosef Agnon: A Revolutionary Traditionalist (Modern Jewish Masters Series)
$55.00

Garth Live from Central Park [VHS]
$19.98
This video needs to transfered to DVD and be digitally remastered and stereo sound mixed. After buying it I transfered it to DVD so I could play it and you cannot imagine how disappointed I was at how bad it sounded! This was the concert of a life time! Why would they sell it in such a crappy form? I for one would pay a pretty good price for a DVD version with stereo audio.