Woodstock 99

Product description Woodstock ~ Woodstock 99 Amazon.ca Should Epic Records be blamed or thanked for splitting this massive collection into separate segments for the tie-die set and the moshing crowd? Isn't Woodstock about merging musical styles into one love fest? Well, here we have the red disc, which offers a relentless attack from metal- and punk-influenced bands such as Offspring, Lit, and Limp Bizkit. The opening track is a huge, roaring version of Korn's "Blind," and the disc closes with warnings about the fire that ended the festival, as the Red Hot Chili Peppers burst into Jimi Hendrix's "Fire." Rage Against the Machine's "Bulls on Parade," Buckcherry's AC/DC-influenced "Lit Up," Megadeth's "A Secret Place," and Live's soaring "I Alone" are notable moments, while Sevendust and Godsmack merely sound like early '90s retreads. Metallica's "Creeping Death" shows why they succeed where others fail, and Bush's "Everything Zen" should feel out of place here, but doesn't. The blue disc serves up a kinder, gentler beat with Dave Matthews opening up with "Tripping Billies," followed by the somewhat tired sounds of the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Things get a little perkier with Jewel's surprisingly powerful "Down So Long." Everclear shakes up the audience with their muscular and catchy brand of alt rock. Elvis Costello makes "Alison" sound new and heartfelt, G. Love & Special Sauce remind us how refreshing it was when "Cold Beverage" was first served, and the Chemical Brothers bring their electronic sound to life on "Block Rockin' Beat." Roots' undulant "Adrenaline" has a bite, and Boston's Guster prove that the hype about this acoustic-based outfit's live shows is true. Perfunctory performances by Sheryl Crow, Rusted Root, and Bruce Hornsby fill in the gaps. --Lorry Flemin