Review of Eric Clapton: Unplugged

Please read and listen to Alain DuPuis’s pick for Eric Clapton: Unplugged  before reading and listening to our reviews below.

Quick Summary: 

  • Would we recommend?
  • Influence us and our tastes?
  • Overall
3.8

Review of Eric Clapton: Unplugged

Alain DuPuis, the best at back-flipping of all The Sonic Collective members, decide that it was time to pay respect to legendary blues/rock guitarist Eric Clapton. Unplugged was all the rage in the early 90s and this album along with Nirvana: Unplugged really catapulted the genre forward.
An album full of blues standards as well as some epic Clapton hits made this the best selling live album of all time. Listen to The Sonic Collective members as they let you know how this album stands up.
Here is a few things you’ll find out by listening this month:
• Pro: Everyone loves this album Con: Everyone loves this album
• What other world famous guitarist almost joined Clapton’s band
• How much Clapton sold one of the 2 guitars he used to record this
Listen up and please leave us a comment.
The Sonic Collective


Our Individual Review Scores
Alain DuPuis:
Overall opinion: 4.5
Would I recommend?: 5
Influenced my tastes: 4.5
Scott Coates:
Overall opinion: 3
Would I recommend?: 3
Influenced my tastes: 3
Darren Scott:
Overall opinion: 3.5
Would I recommend?: 3
Influenced my tastes: 2
Scott Gregory:
Overall opinion: 4
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 4

Review of The Allman Brothers Band: Live at Fillmore East

Please read and listen to Scott Coates’s pick for The Allman Brothers Band: Live at Fillmore East  before reading and listening to our reviews below.

Quick Summary: 

  • Would we recommend?
  • Influence us and our tastes?
  • Overall
3.1

Review of The Allman Brothers Band: Live at Fillmore East

The second pick of our second live album round was made by member Scott Coates for this July 2018. We were definitely all over the place on this selection and how we felt about it. We definitely dig agree that the sound quality of the album as well as the musicianship was incredible. Duane Allman at the age of only 25 had a mastery of his guitar like no other. As this album was historically touted as one of the best live rock albums of all time we had to see how it stood up in 2018.
We discovered many interesting things about this album so listen to our stories and opinions and be sure to listen along with us as we relive classic albums just like this.
Here is a few things you’ll find out by listening this month:
• 2 Sonic Collective members really liked it and the other 2…? Not so much.
• Which other great guitarist almost had Duane Allman join his band.
• How this album tied into the movie Almost Famous.
Listen up and please leave us a comment.
The Sonic Collective


Our Individual Review Scores
Scott Coates:
Overall opinion: 4
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 4
Darren Scott:
Overall opinion: 3
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 2
Scott Gregory:
Overall opinion: 4.5
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 4
Alain DuPuis:
Overall opinion: 1
Would I recommend?: 1
Influenced my tastes: 1

Review of Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense

Please read and listen to Darren Scott’s pick for Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense  before reading and listening to our reviews below.

Quick Summary: 

  • Would we recommend?
  • Influence us and our tastes?
  • Overall
4.4

Review of Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense

Let the live album round begin! I (Darren) was quite excited to pick The Talking Heads to start us off on our live album round. In 1984 the Talking Heads were really starting to attract a large audience after collaborating with Brian Eno on the 3 previous albums leading up to this concert. The movie was shot, and the album recorded, over the course of three nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater in December 1983, as the group was touring to promote their new album Speaking in Tongues.
We discovered many interesting things about this album so listen to our stories and opinions and be sure to listen along with us as we relive classic albums just like this.
Here is a few things you’ll find out by listening this month:
• Why the Tom Tom Club songs are played on this album.
• Brian Eno is not Canadian!
• Typical books don’t talk.
Listen up and please leave us a comment.
The Sonic Collective


Our Individual Review Scores
Darren Scott:
Overall opinion: 4.5
Would I recommend?: 5
Influenced my tastes: 4
Scott Coates:
Overall opinion: 4.5
Would I recommend?: 5
Influenced my tastes: 4.5
Scott Gregory:
Overall opinion: 4
Would I recommend?: (3 album  / 5 Movie)
Influenced my tastes: 4
Alain DuPuis:
Overall opinion: 4.5
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 5

Review of Ashley McIsaac: Hi™ How Are You Today?

Please read and listen to Scott Gregory’s pick for Ashley McIsaac: Hi™ How Are You Today?  before reading and listening to our reviews below.

Quick Summary: 

  • Would we recommend?
  • Influence us and our tastes?
  • Overall
3.8

Review of Ashley McIsaac: Hi™ How Are You Today?

For May 2018 we take a leap across Canada to the East Coast where people and music strongly influenced by their Scottish, Irish, Engligh and French heritage. Combining Celtic and Scottish sounds with folk, rock and pop, Ashley McIsaac from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia showed what a motivated fiddle player could do. His hit song from this album, and a must-listen, Sleepy Maggie was a smash hit in Canada and showed that East-Coasters have what it takes musically to occupy a world stage.
Ok, that sounds all good. However, we forgot to mention that Ashley McIsaac was also one of the most controversial artists and has struggled with serious addiction issues and anger issues. Join us for this crazy ride and review.
Here is a few things you’ll find out:
• How much you’d sell a fiddle for to feed a crack habit.
• Which Sonic Collective member plays a mean set of spoons.
• What’s the difference between McIsaac and MacIsaac anyway?
Listen up and please leave us a comment.
The Sonic Collective


Our Individual Review Scores
Scott Coates:
Overall opinion: 2
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 1
Darren Scott:
Overall opinion: 4
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 3
Scott Gregory:
Overall opinion: 4.5
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 5
Alain DuPuis:
Overall opinion: 4.5
Would I recommend?: 4.5
Influenced my tastes: 5

Review of Alice Cooper: Love it to Death

Please read and listen to Alain DuPuis’ pick for Alice Cooper: Love it to Death before reading and listening to our reviews below.

Quick Summary: 

  • Would we recommend?
  • Influence us and our tastes?
  • Overall
3.5

Review of Alice Cooper: Love it to Death

Maybe Scott Coates put it best when he said, “…how can we call ourselves rock fans without listening to an early Alice Cooper album…”. We all surprisingly liked this album and took many things away from it. Our scores may not be really high but do not let that discourage you from listening to this classic that influenced some of the best prog rock, punk and metal band of our generations. This review and album is worth a listen.
Here is a few things you’ll find out:
• Who Vincent Furnier is
• What song is it that Alice Cooper gets his head chopped off to?
• What Scott Gregory found on Darren Scott’s Spotify
Listen up and please leave us a comment.
The Sonic Collective


Our Individual Review Scores
Scott Coates:
Overall opinion: 3.5
Would I recommend?: 3.5
Influenced my tastes: 4
Darren Scott:
Overall opinion: 3.5
Would I recommend?: 3.5
Influenced my tastes: 3
Scott Gregory:
Overall opinion: 3
Would I recommend?: 3.5
Influenced my tastes: 4
Alain DuPuis:
Overall opinion: 4.5
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 3.5

Review of The Black Crowes: The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion

Please read Scott Coates’s pick for The Black Crowes: The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion before reading and listening to our reviews below.

Quick Summary: 

  • Would we recommend?
  • Influence us and our tastes?
  • Overall
4.6

Review of The Black Crowes: The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion

It is unfortunate that The Black Crowes will unlikely ever reform. Personality and personnel issues were known to the band through the history of the group. Their second album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, really allowed them to write and record songs they wanted to be remembered for. After the monster success of their debut Shake Your Money Maker their label, Rick Rubin’s Def America, was very empowering by letting the band explore their sound instead of forcing them to stick to the catchy sound and covers featured on their debut. We loved this album, have a listen as to why and learn about this complex recording.
Here is a few things you’ll find out:
• What Allman Brothers member was hugely responsible for a part of their new sound
• Who is Jeff Cease and how his replacement contributed
• What other albums was this up against for air play
Listen up and please leave us a comment.
The Sonic Collective


Our Individual Review Scores
Scott Coates:
Overall opinion: 5
Would I recommend?: 5
Influenced my tastes: 5
Darren Scott:
Overall opinion: 4.5 (.5 deducted for that poor Calgary concert)
Would I recommend?: 5
Influenced my tastes: 5
Scott Gregory:
Overall opinion: 4.5
Would I recommend?: 4.5
Influenced my tastes: 4.5
Alain DuPuis:
Overall opinion: 4.5
Would I recommend?: 4.5
Influenced my tastes: 4.5

Review of Toots & The Maytals: Funky Kingston

Please read Darren Scott’s pick for Toots & The Maytals: Funky Kingston before reading and listening to our reviews below.

Quick Summary: 

  • Would we recommend?
  • Influence us and our tastes?
  • Overall
3.8

Review of Toots & The Maytals: Funky Kingston

As I (Darren) stumbled upon this classic reggae album in a time I needed some brightness, I took it as a sign. I was sure glad I did. This is a very fun and bright album from beginning to end. I have to say I was surprised that two of our members confessed they never really listened to reggae. We found out some funny facts and I think Scott Gregory revealed a bit too much. Ha ha. Listen along with us and we hope you took the time to listen to this fun album.
Find out not only factoids about the album, but also find out things like:
• The sample from a popular artist that Alain identified used Funky Kingston
• What two members identified themselves as not reggae fans but still enjoyed it
• Who makes the worst bong noise impression
Listen up and please leave us a comment.
The Sonic Collective


Our Individual Review Scores
Darren Scott:
Overall opinion: 4
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 3
Scott Gregory:
Overall opinion: 3
Would I recommend?: 3
Influenced my tastes: 1
Alain DuPuis:
Overall opinion: 4
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 5
Scott Coates:
Overall opinion: 3.5
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 2

Review of Prince: Purple Rain

Please read Scott Gregory’s pick for Prince: Purple Rain before reading and listening to our reviews below.

Quick Summary: 

  • Would we recommend?
  • Influence us and our tastes?
  • Overall
5

Review of Prince: Purple Rain

Though we can easily quote member Scott Coates when he says “This is a masterpiece!”, we will. This truly is a masterpiece. We rarely do a 5 Star rating but we did on this one.
However, this review is great. Find out not only factoids about the album, but also find out things like:
• How awesome or not the movie was
• Who Darren made out with to this album
• Why dancing impaired to Herb Alpert came up
Listen up and please leave us a comment.
The Sonic Collective


Our Individual Review Scores
Scott Gregory:
Overall opinion: 5
Would I recommend?: 5
Influenced my tastes: 5
Alain DuPuis:
Overall opinion: 5
Would I recommend?: 5
Influenced my tastes: 5
Scott Coates:
Overall opinion: 5
Would I recommend?:5
Influenced my tastes: 5
Darren Scott:
Overall opinion: 5
Would I recommend?: 5
Influenced my tastes: 5

Review of Depeche Mode: Some Great Reward

Please read Alain DuPuis’ pick for Depeche Mode: Some Great Reward before reading and listening to our reviews below.

Quick Summary: 

  • Would we recommend?
  • Influence us and our tastes?
  • Overall
2.9

Review of Depeche Mode: Some Great Reward

There is no denying the power and fans of electronic music and the impact of industrial music. However, where did this all start? Alain had previously pick Kraftwerk who were the Grandfathers of EDM and synth music so it seems fitting he picks a natural influenced band in Depeche Mode. This 4th album from 1982 had some big hits but did it stand the test of time? Did we think this was their best album? Listen up and let us know what you thought. Enjoy our last pick for 2017.
The Sonic Collective


Our Individual Review Scores
Alain DuPuis:
Overall opinion: 3.5
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 3
Scott Coates:
Overall opinion: 2
Would I recommend?:4
Influenced my tastes: 3
Darren Scott:
Overall opinion: 2.5
Would I recommend?: 3.5
Influenced my tastes: 3
Scott Gregory:
Overall opinion: 3.5
Would I recommend?: 3
Influenced my tastes: 4

Review of DJ Shadow: Entroducing

Please read Scott Coates pick for DJ Shadow:
Entroducing before reading and listening to our reviews below.

Quick Summary: 

  • Would we recommend?
  • Influence us and our tastes?
  • Worth the hype?
2.7

Review of DJ Shadow: Entroducing

Ok, first of all, this is a complex album. It is long and full of many experimental songs manufactured by DJ Shadow with basic equipment and lots and lots of samples. Though we didn’t rate it high as a group, there are definitely those who will love this album. It has some great historical value and there is no denying the talent of DJ Shadow. Listen to our reviews and find out what the good, bad and sometimes ugly was about this album.
The Sonic Collective


Our Individual Review Scores
Scott Coates:
Overall opinion: 3.5
Would I recommend?:4
Influenced my tastes: 3
Worth the hype?: 3.5
Darren Scott:
Overall opinion: 2.75
Would I recommend?: 2
Influenced my tastes: 2
Worth the hype? 3
Scott Gregory:
Overall opinion: 3
Would I recommend?: 3
Influenced my tastes: 3
Worth the hype? 3
Alain DuPuis:
Overall opinion: 2
Would I recommend?: 2
Influenced my tastes: 2
Worth the hype? 2