Customer Reviews

20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection

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4 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

Whenever I review one of these 20th Century Masters "Best Of" collections, I try to focus on what the disc has to offer, instead of commenting on the actual artist. I figure if you're checking out one of these albums, you probably have at least some idea of what you're getting into. Before I review this particular album, I just wanted to say something about the band that has been eating at me for a while:

NELSON ROCKS! There, I said it. Those of you who have been dismissing this band as some kind of novelty act or worse need to have your heads examined. If you can look past the spandex outfits and all that hair, you would see that Nelson released some seriously good, seriously catchy melodic rock. Nelson's powerful melodic sound was the logical follow up to the Journey/Foreigner/Loverboy arena rock sound of the 80's. People seem quick to trash that kind of music now, but all of those bands - Nelson included - sold tons of albums back in the day, and you know darn well that when you're caught singing along to the radio in your car, it's going to be one of those band's songs you're listening to - not the latest whiny alterna-rock single by Coldplay. Say what you will about their image, but the well-crafted, radio-friendly rock songs Nelson released in the early 90's are everything good pop/rock is supposed to be.

As to the 20th Century Masters: the Best of Nelson CD - This is about as good as it gets until someone gets around to digitally remastering the band's excellent debut album After the Rain. This compilation serves up 11 tracks, including 6 of the better tracks from after the Rain and 5 from their more subdued second album Because They Can. It's something of an odd collection, in that there is such a difference between the two albums. After the Rain was all about big guitar hooks and catchy vocal harmonies, whereas Because They Can had a more ballad-heavy, almost country sound. Still, it's a good overview of what the band's early sound was all about. You get all of the band's radio hits, plus some songs off of their second album that you might not have heard the first time around, all digitally remastered, for about half the cost of the average CD.

I usually recommend these affordable 20th Century Masters albums to people who are familiar with the band's radio hits and want to hear more of what the band had to offer. In Nelson's case, casual fans are much better off buying After the Rain (which can usually be found used for a dollar or two). This collection is probably of more interest to serious fans looking for digitally remastered versions of the early Nelson material. As I said earlier, I'd rather have a remastered version of After the Rain, but this 20th Century Masters disc will do nicely until that happens.

You probably think I'm just being ironic or whatever but trust me - Nelson freaking rocks. Their music is pure 80's. And I mean "pure" as in pure freaking mountain spring water or something like that. I can't live without their love OR affection. You freaks who don't like them can go back to your trailer parks and shopping mall hallways or wherever you live. Man, thinking about you guys who hate Nelson without listening to their CDs or seeing them live really makes me upset. It's all about the music, man. And unlike other reviewers on this website, I can actually spell words correctly.

It may be hard to believe or to accept, but Nelson was one of the best hair metal bands in 1990 with their debut single hitting #1 on the Hot 100 singles chart with Love & Affection and another top five single, After the Rain, proved that Nelson were far from one hit wonders. More Than Ever and Only Time Will Tell are two more classic singles and they both hit the top 40.

The Nelson twins in 1990 and 1991 were one of the best hair metal bands around.

This is the best greatest package from a forgotten band.

Why Do I love Nelson? They are truly one of a kind. You will not hear such a pure rock sounding
duo Ever like Nelson. If you have never experenced Nelson Before TRY IT!!! you will not be dissappointed!!!

I know that they looked a little stupid, but there music was great. They came in the era of the Hair Bands, that I love! I enjoyed there musci and still do.

I really love this CD. It completes my Nelson collection. I own all 8 albums. The only part that I didn't care for was the fact that all tracks come from their first two albums. Matthew and Gunnar have several excellent songs from their other albums. With the majority of their other albums being released in the late 90's it would have been nice to of had a little more variety on the millennium album.

If you liked the Nelson brothers in the early 90's (when they first appeared), you will love this hit-packed CD. Most of their songs have a timeless resonance ranging from pop to rock. A couple of slower melodies and their words are nice to kick back and bask in, as their meanings eventually play out in your own head. Excellent choice for those who appreciate a well thought out attempt by two extraordinary musicians and their talented band members.

After reading all the reviews, I was so looking forward to another great album. I was crushed to discover that the only songs I enjoyed on the album are the ones from After the Rain. What a waste of money!!!! The songs on this album aren't catchy, and I didn't find myself looking forward to the next track.

Nelson brothers are not talented, and they are just pretty boys trying to be Metal. I am sorry but there more pop then Metal and a bunch of 'Posers"(I hate that word), they try to be metal cause of the long hair, but it neevr worked, there just pretty boys, its garbage.