With their cult following growing, Morphine expanded their audience even further with their exceptional 1994 sophomore effort, Cure for Pain. Whereas their debut, Good, was intriguing yet not entirely consistent, Cure for Pain more than delivered. The songwriting was stronger and more succinct this time around, while new drummer Billy Conway made his recording debut with the trio (replacing Jerome Deupree). Like the debut, most of the material shifts between depressed and upbeat, with a f...   [ read more ]

CD $11.38

In listening to Bunky Green, one can hear where Greg Osby, Steve Coleman, and Gary Thomas came from. Green sails in and out of the chord changes and makes most of his solos into a do-or-die situation full of emotional intensity, especially when he plays alto. On this diverse CD (which finds him also performing a bit on soprano), Green shows that he is not afraid to occasionally caress a melody (as on a slow "Everything I Have Is Yours") and frequently emphasizes unexpected notes, parti...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13

And thus was American goth rock born. Perhaps an extreme statement, as one could argue .45 Grave beat Christian Death to the punch, if with a lot more intentional humor. Still, it's about the only thing that can be said upon listening to Christian Death's debut, Only Theatre of Pain, released in 1982 and influencing more bands that can be counted since then. The member who got the most attention was, unsurprisingly, singer Rozz Williams, but guitarist Rikk Agnew is the secret weapon th...   [ read more ]

CD $13.28