CW-X CW-X Ventilator Compression Support Socks (Apparel) recently tagged "running"

Any athlete can benefit from the added support and accelerated recovery benefits of CW-X's Compression Support socks. The patented, built-in Kinesio Support Web supports the calf and arch of the foot, and it stabilizes the ankle joint for reduced fatigue. Torex four-way stretch fabric provides variable compression to increase circulation in the feet and lower legs and reduce lactic acid buildup. This means you can recover faster after exercise, and your legs and feet will feel fresher the next day. These socks feature patented, built-in webbing to support the calf muscles, ankle joint, and arch. The cushioned sole and toe provide additional comfort. The socks also sport sanitized, antimicrobial, antibacterial properties.

Fabrics
These socks are made with seamless, variable compression 90 percent nylon, 10 percent polyurethane four-way stretch fabric to improve circulation.

About Kinesio Support Web Technology
The patented CW-X Kinesio Support Web technology mimics Kinesio taping techniques that trainers apply to injured muscles. When this technology is applied to muscles and joints, it creates an exoskeletal support system that improves biomechanics during motion. The Kinesio Support Web provides targeted support to key areas, decreasing muscle oscillation and focusing power so your muscles work more efficiently. Variable compression along the web facilitates circulation, minimizing lactic acid build-up and muscle soreness, so you can be active longer and recover faster.

About CW-X Gear Technology
For 40 years, scientists at Wacoal Human Science Research Center in Kyoto, Japan, have studied kinesiology, the science of human movement. They have tested over 35,000 people and analyzed injuries relative to warm-up and cool-down periods. They have come to understand the mechanics of joints and muscles in minute detail. This exhaustive study of body movement has culminated in over 50 patents worldwide.

Below are some further studies demonstrating the performance-enhancing qualities of CW-X Conditioning Wear.

Human Science Research Center, Kyoto, Japan: Study of electrical pulse activity in muscles
Muscles firing into motion were measured electromyographically for subjects wearing CW-X gear, subjects wearing competitor products, and subjects with bare legs. Electrical pulse activity decreased in unsupported and partly supported legs during exercise, indicative of fatigue. Legs supported by CW-X showed a negligible decrease in electrical pulse activity.

Human Science Research Center, Kyoto, Japan: Study of stability, impact, and motion
In this study, high-speed video analysis was used to compare stability, impact, and motion in CW-X products and regular compression gear. CW-X Support Web tights were 10 percent more stable and balanced and absorbed 12 percent more shock to the knee than regular compression tights. CW-X Support Web tops allowed 9 percent greater range of motion for the arm than regular compression tops.

University of Montpelier, France: Study of VO2 oxygen uptake levels
This study measured VO2 oxygen uptake levels over the course of 15 minutes of running in CW-X gear, regular compression tights, and running shorts. CW-X Support Web tights showed 26 percent less oxygen use than regular compression tights and 36 percent less oxygen use than traditional running shorts, indicating lower energy expenditure.

About CW-X
Japan's Wacoal Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of intimate apparel, has spent half a century creating clothing born of a deep understanding of the body. Combining its scientific knowledge of the human anatomy with its experience in complex fabrications and apparel design, the company first entered the performance sports apparel market in Japan in 1991 with CW-X Performance Conditioning Wear. Recently the company launched the CW-X brand in the U.S. market through the newly formed Wacoal Sports Science Corporation.

Wacoal Sports Science, headquartered in New York City, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wacoal International. The company's mission is to meet the sports performance needs of the active U.S. consumer through the CW-X brand, the world's first truly anatomically engineered high-performance sports apparel.

CW-X patented Ventilator Compression Support Socks work to increase circulation and offer targeted support for reduced fatigue and quicker recovery.

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Tuneband for iPhone 4, Grantwood Technology's Armband, Silicone Skin, and Front and Back Screen Protector, Black (Wireless Phone Accessory) recently tagged "running"

Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor (Electronics) recently tagged "running"

Amazon.com ReviewJust when you thought Garmin had cornered the market on powerful, affordable, and effective wrist-mounted GPS devices, here comes the Forerunner 305. The release of this device is a major achievement from a design and technology perspective. This isn't just marketing-speak; the Forerunner 305 is the most accurate, most reliable wrist-mounted performance and GPS tracking tool we've ever tested. Yes, it's that good. While no device this compact can do everything (yet), the 305 pushes the boundaries of what is possible from something strapped around your wrist. The 305 model includes wireless heartrate monitoring and it can also be connected to Garmin's wireless bicycle speed and cadence sensor. If you don't need these features, consider the lower-priced Forerunner 205.

View Garmin's Forerunner demonstration video.

Choose from 12 data fields to display on the 305's screen. View larger.

The design cleverly integrates the GPS antenna and aims it towards the sky when you're running or walking. View larger.

The Virtual Partner function makes your workouts more competitive. View larger.

Choose from three workout modes that help you target your training goals. View larger.

The 305 features rudimentary mapping and location marking functions. View larger.

Design
The 305's design is a radical departure from Garmin's previous generation of wrist mounted GPS devices, which reached a pinnacle with the Garmin Forerunner 301. While the 301 delivered accurate heart rate monitoring, good performance tracking, and decent GPS reception, it didn't quite deliver in the design department. The form factor was bulky and wearing it wasn't much different than duct taping a full-sized GPS device to your wrist.

Not so with the 305. Garmin's engineers obviously burned the midnight oil and have come up with a waterproof design that, while certainly not as small as a sports watch, feels just as comfortable. The curved casing allows the unit's antenna to face the sky when you're running, while the widescreen display is perfectly positioned for viewing when you need it. And the display certainly deserves a few kudos. While it's smaller than the display found on previous Forerunners, its resolution is far higher, offering incredible clarity and crispness.

Garmin has smartly given the 305 a simple button layout and the buttons have a nice tactile feel with good pressure response. The right side houses the menu selection and enter buttons, while the left houses a power/backlight button and a mode button. This simple and elegant solution is a big improvement over the sometimes confusing button functionality of previous Forerunners. View button layout.

The underside of the 305 is pretty nondescript, except for a row of contacts that interface with the included charging and data cradle. The cradle is small and unobtrusive and its single mini-USB port connects to either an included AC adapter, or a USB cable that connects to your PC. In addition to data transfer with the USB cable, you can also charge the 305's embedded lithium-ion battery via a powered USB connection from your computer.

GPS Performance
The big news about the Forerunner 305 is that it features an integrated, high-sensitivity SiRFstar III GPS receiver. What does this mean? It means that the 305's ability to both track, and maintain a lock on, your position is better than anything before it. After an intial battery charge, the tester had the 305 on his wrist and was tracking speed and distance with GPS satellites within 3 minutes. The next time we used the 305, satellite acquisition was nearly instantaneous. A run through dense trees didn't faze the unit either; tracking remained true and steady. Performance on a bike was equally impressive. Whatever witchcraft has been cooked up by the designers of the SiRF technology, we like it!

The simple docking cradle makes charging and data connectivity a snap.

While the Forerunner 305 isn't billed as a GPS navigation device, it does have some rudimentary mapping, waypoint marking, and routing capabilities. In addition to marking locations along your journey, you can zoom in or out of a simple map that displays your current direction and path. There's also a "go to location" feature that routes you back to your starting location, or to any location you have defined. Once you have defined several locations, you can save this information as a route, allowing you to travel the same path in the future. As you'll see below, the 305's new "Courses" feature gives you new levels of control over how you define your favorite runs and rides.

Training Functions
The 305 is first and foremost a training tool, and its ability to organize a ton of data types into a user experience that is intuitive and simple is no small feat. Whiz-bang technology aside, if you can't use it and make it a natural part of your exercise routine, it's worthless. When it comes to these factors -- and here's the take home message on the 305 -- this device is successful where many other devices fail.

The heart and soul of the 305 can be found on the data screens, which give you real-time information about all aspects of your workout. In fact, the 305 can display a dizzying array of data, such as calories burned, distance, elevation, grade, and heading, as well as multiple lap and pace modes. The 305 adds the ability to track heartrate, lap heartrate, average heartrate, and heartrate zones via the included coded heartrate chest strap. With the purchase of a separate wireless cadence and speed meter, you can also track bike performance data.

Thankfully, the device makes it easy to define how much or how little data you want to view during a workout. You can arrange the data that's most important to you and then make that data appear front and center on the device. Indeed, within a few minutes of skimming the manual and fiddling with the device setup, you'll have your most important data displaying just the way you like it. The ability to display heartrate is a big plus, too, as it's a fairly good indicator of excercise output, fatigue, and fitness level. The 305 has all the heartrate functions you'd expect from a full-function monitor, including the ability to set target zones and alerts to maximize the effectiveness of your workouts.

Garmin's Virtual Partner function was cool feature of previous Forerunners and they've decided to keep a good thing going with the 305. If you're the type that performs best when you've got a competitor egging you on, you'll love this function, as it allows you to set up virtual running or biking companions that compete against you.

If you're looking for an complicated workout with a variety of intervals and intensity levels, or just a quick three-mile jog against your best time last week, the 305 has you covered. Navigating to the Workouts menu on the device yields three options: Quick Workouts, Interval, and Advanced Workout. A quick workout is just that; set the distance and time, distance and pace, or time and pace of your planned workout and off you go. Interval workouts are just the same, but they allow you to add repetitions and rest between them. When you really want to get fancy with your exercise, you can step up to advanced workouts, which include goals for each workout step, as well as varied distances, times, and rest periods. You can use the Garmin Training Center software to set up these workouts and then upload them to the device.

Computer Connectivity and Software
Garmin has been outfitting their devices with USB connectivity for some time now -- a welcome move for those who struggled with serial port connections in the days of yore. Thanks to USB, the 305 integrates seamlessly with the Training Center software and we quickly had workout history uploaded and stored on the computer. Not only does Training Center--which is compatible with both PC and Mac--make it easy to track your performance, you can graph data such as heartrate alongside your speed and distance. Over time, this is a great way to view your fitness levels increase, and it also helps you see what types of workouts are necessary to strengthen your weaknesses. For instance, if you see your heartrate begin to spike after a certain distance, you know you need to increase your endurance workouts to train that area of fitness.

In a first for the Forerunner series, the Training Center software also lets you define courses on your computer that you can upload to the device. When course information is combined with uploaded workout information, the Forerunner becomes a complete guide, telling you where to go, when to make a turn, and what kind of workout to do when you're on the road or path. Back on the computer, the software's ability to overlay workout data on maps of the course makes it easy to see where the course offers up the tough hills and the easy recovery spots. Plus, the ability to track historical performance on a given course is a great way to measure your improvement.

The 305 is also fully compatible with Garmin's MotionBased service, which takes your training to another level by connecting your data with the Internet. While we weren't able to use the service, the promise of sharing courses, maps, workouts, and performance data with other users is intriguing. And if you're a serious endurance athlete, you'll be glad to know that the 305 is also compatible with TrainingPeaks.com, an easy-to-use web based training system designed to help athletes train for any event.

Pros

Radically new design is better in every way Amazing accuracy and fast satellite acquisition time So simple to set up and use, you will actually use it Cons
Okay, it's bigger than a sport's watch -- but so much more powerful What's in the Box
Forerunner 305, Garmin Training Center CD-ROM, heart rate monitor, docking cradle, expander strap, A/C charger, USB cable, owner's manual, quick start guide. Package Includes: Forerunner 305, Heart rate monitor, docking cradle, expander strap, AC charger, PC/USB interface cable, Quick start guide, Garmin Training Center CD & owner's manual

The Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS System combines form and function. This combination running partner and personal trainer is designed for athletes of all levels. It features a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, new courses feature, and robust ANT wireless heart rate monitor for optimal performance. The super-sensitive GPS tracks your every move, even working on tree-covered trails and near tall buildings. The heart device monitors your heart rate, speed, distance, pace and calories burned so you can train smarter, more effectively. These taskmasters will continually push you to do your personal best. Courses feature lets you download recorded courses and compete against previous workouts Auto Pause pauses and resumes training timer GPS features - GPS with high-Sensitivity SiRFstarIII architecture Wireless communication between system devices via ANT protocol Display Size(WxH) - 1.3 x 0.8 (33 x 20.3 mm) Lap Memory - 1,000 laps Rechargeable internal lithium ion battery - lasts 10 hours (typical use) Waterproof - Submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 mins. Alerts - Time, distance, pace and heart rate Physical Size(WxHxD) - 2.1 x. 7 x 2.7 (53.3 x 17.8 x 68.6 mm) Weight - 2.72 oz. (77 g)

Heart rate monitor features - Transmission Range - approximately 3m (9.8ft) 3V CR2032 battery - lasts 3 years (1 hour per day) Physical size(WxHxD) - 13.7 x 1.4 x 0.5 (348 x 35.6 x 12.7 mm) Weight -. 74 oz (21 grams)

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Polar RS300X Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Sports) recently tagged "running"

57 of 60 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Overall a decent product with some minor drawbacks, August 28, 2009 This review is from: Polar RS300X Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Sports) For some reason, Polar requires that these units be sent back to replace the battery, which costs $25 + shipping. On top of the annual cost of maintenance, this ship to replace policy leaves you without a heart monitor for about 2 weeks once a year.

The other issue I found is that the reception range is not very good, so the unit won't work well mounted on a bicycle.

Finally, Polar has decided to arbitrarily remove the % fat burn function from some of its watches. This watch does not have it, so keep in mind you will not know what % of your calorie burn was fat.

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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful: 2.0 out of 5 stars Electronics OK, crappy display, September 6, 2009 This review is from: Polar RS300X Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Sports) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 1:36PM

After a couple more workouts and a few hours of trying to figure out this product... well, their user documentation is horrible, which means you must spend hours discovering almost everything on your own.

I like the RS300X for its ability to track and store training data. (But, finding the data is a hassle thanks to poor documentation with no examples. Ultimately, I will have to spend time creating a navigation chart myself.)

I like the chest band with its detachable transmitter and easy-to-replace battery.

I don't like the molded one-piece watch-band that forces you to wear the watch atop the wrist. I prefer to wear the watch on the side of my wrist where I can glance down to read, rather than having to raise my entire arm to read.

I still don't like the display because of its obnoxious glare and requirement of perfect up-close vision to read it.

Based on my experience with the RS300X and other Polar products, I would now raise my 2-star rating to 4-stars (if I could). Without excellent and useful documentation - that SAVES MY TIME & FRUSTRATION - I can't give it 5-stars.

All my other Polar products have been reliable and of high quality construction. I assume the RS300X will be the same or better.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday, September 6, 2009 11:25AM

I received my new Polar RS300X a couple days ago. I shoulda shopped around...

I've been using Polar Heart Rate monitors since 1986. and have been pleased with them all... Until now.

I bought this RS300X because I loathe the hassle of sending the equipment in for new batteries.

While the RS300X electronics seem to offer many features, the smaller display is utterly crappy - a significant obstruction to my workouts!

You must try to read the tiny display info through TWO glaring reflections off the clear plastic lens (glare NOT SHOWN in the photos). What good is the real-time feedback info if you can't read it while running?!?!

I assumed I would love this new product.

Unfortunately, after only two uses, I hate this RS300X. If I change my mind after more usage, I'll change this review.

Mike

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Chia Seeds 3 Pound (Chemical Free) (Health and Beauty) recently tagged "running"

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Natural Running: The Simple Path to Stronger, Healthier Running (Paperback) recently tagged "running"

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Learn how to stop hurting yourself., December 17, 2010 This review is from: Natural Running: The Simple Path to Stronger, Healthier Running (Paperback) I am not a runner. I chose this book to improve my WALKING and stair climbing. I am about half way through and immediately began applying the suggested form changes and immediately my knees stopped hurting.

I have just bought 4 more copies to give as Christmas presents.

I am 63 years old and not an athlete.

If you are able to run, you should read this book.

If you are able to walk, you should read this book,

Learn how to stop hurting yourself.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A must for all runners, March 5, 2011 This review is from: Natural Running: The Simple Path to Stronger, Healthier Running (Paperback) Insightful, well researched, and will change everything you thought you knew about running, and running naturally...100% recommended, and hope the author will write a follow up... Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? 

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed, solid advice, March 14, 2011 This review is from: Natural Running: The Simple Path to Stronger, Healthier Running (Paperback) This book really explains what happens with your body when you walk and run. It goes into different gait types, different types of feet, common foot irregularities, and running form drills, then sets out a sample training plan.

Thus far, I've only read this book, ChiRunning, and Born to Run. The last really isn't a "How-To" book, but it still contains quite a bit of information. ChiRunning has a pretty cover, but you really have to sift through all the explanations of "Chi" to get to the running bit, and even then, it describes a running motion that seems unnatural. From page 1, Natural Running gives sound science-based explanations for how to run. Succinct, to the point.

Disclaimer: Natural Running is written by the founder of Newton Shoes, but there are very few references to it here. Abshire doesn't suggest that his shoes are the only, or even the best way to run with a natural gait. He mentions the Nike Free somewhat disparagingly, saying that it still has a rather raised heel, but mentions that nearly every other company is developing shoes aimed at a more barefoot feel.

The book does argue against completely barefoot running as a main training method, especially on pavement and trails, saying that the risk of cuts and stress fractures is too high. It does, however, suggest running barefoot on grass and other natural surfaces. Here in the Boston area, where pretty much every block has broken glass, I want _some_ protection, darnit.

Nice to know those form exercises I learned back in high school track really do work!

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RUN: The Mind-Body Method of Running by Feel (Paperback) recently tagged "running"

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the last book you need to read, September 11, 2010 This review is from: RUN: The Mind-Body Method of Running by Feel (Paperback) I am a 150 lbs, 58 year old, 5K runner. I changed my running by reading Danny Dreyer's Chi Running, found my training method by David Holt's 10K & 5K Running, Training & Racing. These helped me a lot, but still I was not able to get the pleasure and comfort in my 4 weekly runs. Matt's book RUN gave me what I needed most; the real insight in running. It is definitely the last book I needed to read.
I recommend RUN for anybody running, she or he will attain the best understanding how to gain from pleasure, I did! My Long Slow Distance running is now taking significant less effort at the last 20% of it. The day after I do twice the normal distance of my hilltraining, I NEVER felt better! Thank you Matt for writing RUN.

Sean, "there is no run without a purpose"

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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars philosophy meets physiology meets neurophysiology, July 26, 2010 This review is from: RUN: The Mind-Body Method of Running by Feel (Paperback) I enjoy Matt's writing and his insights into different approaches to running. 'Run' looks at running as a brain driven and controlled activity. Matt combines the latest research in brain development with the 'coal face' action of coaches and elite athletes to provide a new approach to training. You essentially teach your brain that it's ok to run fast and to run far. Matt shows that it's brain activity that governs endurance and speed limits. He then takes you through the key research findings from the lab and also the training track to explain how and when the brain controls your running limits. But best of all, Matt provides the insights to enable you to find the best methods that work for you, to raise your performance - by working with the brain's physiology and how it likes to work best.

You won't find prescriptive training schedules but you will be able to develop, through your own intuition, the best training approach for you. Matt's book helps you do this.

Great book and an excellent read after Brain Training for Runners

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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A new approach that makes good sense, September 19, 2010 This review is from: RUN: The Mind-Body Method of Running by Feel (Paperback) I've been running off and on since high school but only within the last 5 years started to run long distances(marathon). Now in my 5th decade, and having completed 5 marathons in the last four years, I've been searching and experimenting with different approaches to "training up". Most of the books I've read have strict training programs that seem to just wear me out. So I find this book to be refreshingly different. Wow, I can actually go by how I feel rather than "got to get in that 20 miler today" or "got to meet my target of 55 miles this week". I now refer to my "adaptive" running schedule rather than "training" schedule. That's what it's really all about, adapting the body to new levels of running performance & not beating it up. I will use this approach in my quest to BQ this coming year.
Great insightful book with a lot of common sense once you understand the mind/body connection to running. Thanks Matt! Will buy two more copies for my running friends. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? 
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Nathan Clip-On Deluxe L.E.D. Safety Strobe (Sports) recently tagged "running"

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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Visibility, Small size, "Clippability", October 7, 2009 This review is from: Nathan Clip-On Deluxe L.E.D. Safety Strobe (Sports) The Nathan 5-LED safety light has bright LEDs. It has good visibility on the road, and all the different modes enables use in different scenarios.
You can have all LEDs ON or all LEDs blinking or One-at-a-time blinking (energy saving mode). With only one LED,s its still bright and visible, and the small time interval between blinking means that it would not be a risk to leave on this mode.
Runs on 2-AAA's included with the product, which is not mentioned in the product description. So no hassle trying to find the correct button cell.
It has a strong clip, which can be tagged to clothing, belt, bag, etc. But no attachment for seat-post. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? 

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Various strobe options, and it works, February 26, 2009 This review is from: Nathan Clip-On Deluxe L.E.D. Safety Strobe (Sports) Has various strobe options from which to pick, and it seems quite bright. I would say this makes it very effective. Gave it to my brother as a gift, who runs at night, and he hasn't been killed yet, so it must be working. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? 

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Nathan LED Light, July 12, 2008 This review is from: Nathan Clip-On Deluxe L.E.D. Safety Strobe (Sports) Great light with many strobing variations. Not as bright as some but bright enough for visibility at a great distance. Small and sturdy. I clip it to my bike or backpack when riding at night. I also keep it with me when going camping. Will buy a few more for an emergency travel kit. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? 
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Timex Ironman Race Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch, Black/Grey (Sports) recently tagged "running"

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Great watch/HR monitor, January 21, 2010 I did some research prior to purchasing this HR monitor/watch. I have to say I am very pleased with it. I actually wanted one that measured distance, also, but they all seem to be too large for my wrist. This watch is fine and I honestly have a very small wrist. I like the features and especially the ability to review all of the info from each workout. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? 

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Great HRM!, February 15, 2010 I both agree and disagree with some of the reviews for this product. Granted, I have only had it a week, so I can't speak about durability/quality. I also haven't used the interval or recovery modes (and may never).

First, it is comfortable! I forget that I am even wearing the chest strap and my wrist is light as air. I am a large framed female with a normal BMI and as another reviewer stated, I can wear it under my sports bra. It is also a nice looking watch. The HRM seems very accurate and that part wasn't difficult to set up if you know your numbers. Although I have to say, plan to spend a little time with the manual. While somewhat intuitive, you still need to familiarize yourself with the functions of the buttons in each mode. The only down side is the calorie counter. I don't know how these devices usually calculate this, but this one, as well the rest, always give reading higher than what is actual. But that is not a flaw of this HRM, but of all of them in general.

This is a great product! The only way they could make it better is to design it to be as accurate without needing the chest strap. Then I would wear it all the time!

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Does exactly what it says it will do!, January 24, 2010 I went through 2 other watches, having to return them because of size issues (too big), and this watch does what the review in Runner's World says it will do. I am a 6 ft 150 thin runner who got this size and it does not overwhelm my arm. The digits present well and the HRM feature works perfectly with a good connection. I don't even notice wearing the strap and the readings are pretty precise/clear, once you figure out how to click through the various reviews, recovery, etc features. It was a very nice Xmas gift from my wife and I can already see a few benefits or maybe just placebo benefits to how I am putting in the mileage now. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? 
2115|R1SD4DDMBIH5G1;2115|R2N9BJGF4ACFR5;2115|R3C2O8T47TYCLV;Share your thoughts with other customers:    Most Recent Customer Reviews

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Sennheiser Adidas CX 680 Sports Earbuds with Volume Control and Earfin Holding System (Electronics) recently tagged "running"

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42 of 42 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a good earphone for sweaty runners, June 13, 2010 This review is from: Sennheiser Adidas CX 680 Sports Earbuds with Volume Control and Earfin Holding System (Electronics) I have been on a quest for a new pair of earphones for weeks. I have spent countless hours reading hundreds of reviews on various models. My main criteria (in order of importance) were: 1) Don't fall out when doing strenuous exercise like running, 2) Won't cease functioning or experience a decrease in functionality due to sweating (I sweat profusely when exercising, e.g., my clothes are normally drenched after an hour of cardio), 3) Comfort, 4) Price, 5) Sound quality, and 6) Appearance/Style.

Based on all that I read, I decided that the new Adidas-branded Sports line from Sennheiser might be the best option for me, so I splurged, got the CX680 at a big box store, and decided to test them since I knew I could return them for a full refund within 30 days if not satisfied. If I liked them I knew I could purchase online for 25-30% less. Note that I prefer the in-ear design, but was also considering the neckband design of the PMX680 as an alternate. However, I was hoping to find one pair that I could use for cardio, weightlifting, leisure, and travel.

First, I will explain what comes in the package. You get:

(1) SYMMETRICAL earphones with a 30" cord and a straight jack
(2) a 24" extender with a volume control on one end and an "L" jack on the other
(3) a Velcro carrying pouch
(4) 3 sets (S,M,L) of earfins, 1 set of M covers w/o fins, and 3 sets (S,M,L) of earbud covers
(5) a clip
(6) a cleaning tool

My assessment of each of these components:

(1) Short Cord: Used w/o the extender, the earphones are best worn using an armband (either arm is fine due to the symmetrical cord) with the cord clipped to the shirt on whatever side the armband is to reduce tension on the opposite side earbud. I ran for 1.5 hours last night with the cord clipped this way to the collar of a T-shirt. It stayed in place the entire time and was completely unobtrusive.

(2) Extender: The volume control is very light and can be clipped to the band of your shorts w/o adding noticeable weight. With my iPod Nano clipped to one side, the volume control on the other, and the cord beneath my shirt, there was some cord slack (I'm 5'8"), but the movement was not excessive and not disruptive. The wheel of the volume control has a slight resistance to it so that you won't mistakenly blast out your eardrums while adjusting it.

(3) Pouch: The pouch is good quality and roomy enough to hold the earbuds and a small music player. However, the cords do tend to become entangled easily.

(4) Earbuds/Earfins: With some trial and error I was able to find the right combination of fin and earbud that fit comfortably and didn't fall out with movement or sweat. I've had more difficulty finding the correct fit for my L ear, but even during a 1.5 hour run I only had to adjust the bud once b/c the fin had moved (Note that the earbud itself was still firmly sealed).

(5) Clip: As mentioned above, the clip work great when attached to a collar and probably would also with a hem. I tried to use it in the middle of my shirt and it simply fell off. There's a groove on the top that seemingly is supposed to hold the wire but it does not; you simply have to clip the wire along with the clothing.

(6) I have yet to use the cleaning tool.

Now on to how the CX680 ranks using my criteria.

(1) Fit & Staying Power, 5/5: These things stay put. I've had the stock earbuds which do not fit my ears well, fall out with movement or sweat, and sound crappy. I would imagine that most people should be able to find an earfin/earbud combination that fits them well. I like that this product is customizable rather than one-size-fits-all.

(2) Sweat Resistance, 5/5: More than any other pair of earbuds I've owned, these seem to be unaffected by sweating. They do not loosen when sweat is in the ears and their rubberized materials seem especially sweat "proof". I have not yet tried to put them in water. I would hope that these do not as easily succumb to the issues common with other earphones that seem less sturdy/durable. Even if they do fail at some point, at least with Sennheiser you have their 2 year warranty (another reason I chose these over something with only a 90 day warranty).

(3) Comfort, 5/5: I don't even notice I've wearing them.

(4) Price, 3/5: These certainly are not the cheapest earphones on the market, but they are new and will likely come down in price. The cheapest I've found is $70 online with free shipping. I would highly recommend buying them locally, seeing if they work for you, and then returning them and buying them for cheaper online. If you've got something that works for you now, I'd say wait for the price to drop on these. If money is no concern, just buy them!

(5) Sound quality, 3/5: I'm not an audiophile and I didn't get these b/c I wanted the best sounding buds, and they're not. I listen exclusively to electronic music and they're OK, but slightly lacking in bass. Not sure if "tinny" or "muddy" are the correct terms, but I've thought that my music sounded better with JBuds J2s (but they would fall out when I'd sweat and shorted out after a year), with Acoustibuds attached to stock earbuds (these sound great and actually stay pretty well during movement and sweating but they're bulky, have to be twisted into the ear canal, and it's challenging to find the sweet spot as far as the "best" position for maximum effect), or with over-the-head models (these offend my sense of fashion). The CX680s are not bad, just not the greatest sounding, but I'm willing to sacrifice on music quality to eliminate them moving around, falling out, or breaking b/c of sweat damage.

(6) Appearance, 4/5: I don't know why Sennheiser thinks it necessary to make their Sports lines in bright, obnoxious colors (neon green, orange, and now yellow), instead of more muted grays, blacks, or whites, but these are OK. I'm not using them to win any fashion contests, and they're more appealing, IMO, than the neckband, over-the-ears, or over-the-head models.

In summary, I give the CX680s a 4/5: They're great for what they're intended (i.e., reduction of slippage due to movement and/or sweat), but could sound better, be less expensive, and reduce the flashy factor. I would also have preferred an asymmetrical cord design so that the earphones could be used w/o the clip when using an armband. Before my 30 day "trial" period is over, I will be returning these to Big Box Store and purchasing them online. Hopefully they will prove to be a good investment and a solution to the annoyance of finding the best earphones for sweaty cardio freaks like me.

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36 of 40 people found the following review helpful: 2.0 out of 5 stars Fixes one issue but causes another, March 9, 2010 This review is from: Sennheiser Adidas CX 680 Sports Earbuds with Volume Control and Earfin Holding System (Electronics) I decided to upgrade to the CX680s after using a pair of CX380s for the last 6 months. The 380s were pretty good but didn't always stay in place during my workouts.

The good news with the CX680s is the ear fin technology works really well. They stay in place the whole time I'm at the gym. The bad news is Adidas/Sennheiser should have given more thought to the cord length. The standard cord is too short unless you're using an armband for your music player. Then it's too long so you have to wrap it around or have it move the whole time you're working out.

If you don't have an armband, then you have to use the extender with the inline volume control. When you do this the cord is way too long and it and the volume control bounce all over the place. You can use the included clip to keep one from moving but you can't stop both from moving. The moving is super distracting because you can hear it through the headphones and you don't know what the cord is going to get snagged on.

Having said all this, I guess these could work for you if you're the right height (I'm 5'10''). Height is important because the volume control also has a clip on it that you can use to keep it from flopping around. In my case, the clip didn't reach my waist so I couldn't clip it so it just dangled.

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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars workout headphones, March 20, 2010 This review is from: Sennheiser Adidas CX 680 Sports Earbuds with Volume Control and Earfin Holding System (Electronics) PROS: moisture resistant, excellent sound (after 'treble reducer' eq and removing earfins so they would fit correctly in my ear), great stability.

CONS: awkward cord lengths (comes w/ very long ext. cord, short primary cord), awkward earfins, initial sound quality presents with a bit much treble, tips slightly uncomfortable after a while in ear canals.

CONCLUSION: As workout headphones are concerned, compared to the Bose In-ear 'phones, Apple In-ears, my prev. fav. Sony MDR-EX85s, and even other Sennheisers I've tried, these offer far superior sound and functionality within the scope of exercise-specific headphones. I workout a lot (sweating substantially when doing so) and prefer clear bass; now that I have figured out not to use the earfin feature or bass boost (iPhone 3GS, iTouch 2G: these sound really BAD with boost on, the noise is amplified terribly) I wouldn't hesitate for a second to replace this pair with another of the same, were they to break.

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Fixing Your Feet: Prevention and Treatments for Athletes (Paperback) recently tagged "running"

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25 of 27 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Fixing Your Feet is a must Read, October 8, 2001 Fixing Your Feet is a must for any long or ultra-distance runner, hiker, triathlete or adventure racer. Your chances of successful training and racing will be greatly improved after having read Fixing your Feet.

John Vonhof's experience, research and work on preventive maintenance and treatment for foot problems has been a real gift for athletes and others who are on their feet for long periods of time in adverse conditions. In ultra distance running and adventure racing, it is often the feet that are the first to break down. John's work has provided us with a complete manual on proper foot care. This book has made it possible for so many long and ultra-distance athletes to be able to put in the high mileage needed to be able to complete long races without being disabled due to foot problems. So many an athlete can give credit to their training and racing successes to John for his work.

John discusses in detail, the steps needed to prevent foot problems and describes in laymen's terms how to treat foot problems that do occur. His explanation on the biomechanics of the foot is very easy to understand and clearly shows how your feet are prone to certain problems. He talks of hot spots, blisters, plantar fascitis, tendonitis and other common foot problems associated with shoe, boot and sock selection and proper fitting.

With ultra-endurance sports becoming so popular, John's work filled a huge void. I highly recommend this book to any athlete who spends much time on their feet.

Don Mann
Race Director for
The BEAST of the EAST
The Mega Dose
The Odyssey Double and Triple Iron
The Expedition British Virgin Island Adventure Race
and "Race to the Pole" (9000-mile race, Ecuador to the North Pole)

Don is a retired Navy SEAL and has competed in well over 1000 endurance competitions over the past 25 years.

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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Fixing Your Feet by John Vonhof, August 6, 2004 No matter what your sport, if you use your feet for it, this is the book for you! John Vonhof's 3rd edition of "Fixing Your Feet" is the most comprehensive yet. All one has to do is look at the contents in the outline to know how well organized and informational it is. It's easy to find the supplies for foot care too because he has already done the research and lists the contact information.
It covers every aspect for foot care including blister prevention and treatment, types of types of socks, lubricants, shoe fit, biomechanics that can contribute to problems, foot injuries and so much more. Whether you are a runner, backpacker, adventure racer or weekend walker, this book covers it all.

Denise Jones
The Badwater Blister Queen

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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for people who are on their feet., February 11, 2005 I heartily recommend you go to the library or a bookstore and find a copy of John Vonhof's fantastic book, "Fixing Your Feet." Anyone who hikes would find this book helpful. He talks about every product known to footcare, as well as techniques used by ultra trail runners, and eco-race runners, etc.
Try putting contractor grade (the cloth kind) duct tape on your heels before you hike. Other people have really good luck with vaseline on their feet before hiking or trail running. I use some stuff called Hydropel which works wonders. I bought four tubes for my PCT thruhike this year. I've had good success on my training hikes with it.

The bottom line is to remove the friction. Spenco Second Skin is another good product for this, but duct tape is a whole lot cheaper, if it works for you. Just like vaseline is a lot cheaper than Hydropel.

In "Fixing Your Feet" Vonhof talks about a gazillion different ways to tape up your feet as preventitive measures.

Also, tincture of Benzoin is used as a skin toughener. Some just use alcohol. At any rate there are two pages of products listed as skin tougheners in "Fixing Your Feet."

One last thing. Vonhof, who seems like a really nice guy based on e-mail contact I've had with him, publishes a free footcare e-zine each month. Anyone can subscribe to it, and past issues are archived. Go to;

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FixingYourFeetEzine/

I hope this helps, and that you get the problems taken care of so you can enjoy your trips. And if you really want to help your feet forget the 65 pound pack!

Happy Trails!

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Running Within: A Guide to Mastering the Body-Mind-Spirit: A Guide to Mastering the Body-Mind-Spirit Connection for Ultimate Training and Racing (Paperback) recently tagged "running"

Crush (Audio CD) recently tagged "bon jovi" by Chordstrike

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48 of 53 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Bon Jovi is Back!, June 28, 2000 This review is from: Crush (Audio CD) The five year wait is over! Bon Jovi are back and better than ever with new album, "Crush"! If you're a die-hard fan you'll love it and even if you're not, you may be pleasantly surprised. It's classic Jovi at their finest. Starting with "It's My Life" and updated version of "Livin' On a Prayer" for the new millenium, will get your feet moving and if you aren't singing along by the second chorus, there's something wrong with you!Their ballad, "Thank You for Loving Me" will be the next wedding song for many years to come and with songs like "Save the World" or "Mystery Train", Jon and Richie's harmonies are in top form.They've experimented with new songs,like the humerous, "Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars" or the visual of "Two Story Town", but to great effect. Bon Jovi fans won't be disappointed. This is the album we've been waiting for. I can't stop listening to it! Thanks,guys for the great album! We love you and are glad you're back for the Next 100 years! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? 

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Bon Jovi have stiiiiill got it!, June 13, 2000 This review is from: Crush (Audio CD) After five years of hiatus, solo albums galore and certain *movie deals*, Bon Jovi are back with a vengence! "Crush" is a mixture of classic Bon Jovi at its best, and way more listenable than dreary, mellodramatic 1995 album "These Days".

Please don't be misleaded by the first track - "It's My Life". The song sounds remarkably similar to their big 80's hit "Living On a Prayer" (hardcore fans will notice that Tommy and Gina's story continues), but the rest of the album isn't the same at all. "Say It Isn't So" sounds like something Matchbox Twenty would sing, because it does sound rather, well, young (I myself am still debating who would sound better singing lead - Jon or Rob Thomas..) but Bon Jovi pulls it off pretty darn well! "I Got The Girl" and "One Wild Night" sound rather victorious and will be great for rock parties. "Captain Crash & the Beauty Queen From Mars" is unique (and not just by title!) but enjoyable and fun.

As for ballads, rest assure there are a few, and they're good too! "Save the World" starts off a bit like their '94 hit "Always", but has its own unique sound and will be great for relaxing - with your loved one or on your own, whilst gathering your thoughts. If this song gets released I'm sure it'll be a massive hit.

In a nutshell, Bon Jovi has managed to keep the old sound that we know and love, and adapt it to sound suitable for the fresh new 21st century. The band hasn't gotten *old*, and track 6 explains it well: They're "Just Older".

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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars A healthy mix of old and new, June 15, 2000 This review is from: Crush (Audio CD) Of the three biggest bands of the 80's (Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Poison), only bon Jovi, somehow, someway, was able to maintain a sizable audience into the grunge-n-gloom 90's with subtle shifts in style resulting in slick, adult oriented albums like Keep the Faith and These Days. They were both very respectable efforts but they leaned too heavily on Adult-contempory ballads and half-hearted rock, they lacked that 'fire' that Slippery when Wet and New Jersey kindled. However, after a solo outing, Jon Bon Jovi reunites with Richie Sambora, David Bryan, and co. for the first 'Bon Jovi' effort in 5 years. And it's very well worth the wait.

The best comes first; It's My Life is bound to be the catchiest rock song you'll hear all year. This song is absolutley classic Bon Jovi with an ever-so-subtle modern rock inflection. If the rest of the album borders into Matchbox 20/3rd Eye Blind territory sometimes (You'll almost find yourself singing 'Do do do, do do do do' to the intro of Say it Isn't So), so be it, but the band keeps their feet firmly planted in classic rock territory most of the time showcasing whale-sized hooks and the big, catchy singalong chorus they've always been second-to-none in crafting.

There's at least 5 or 6 hit cuts off this album should radio decide to pick them up in It's My Life, the stellar Just Older, One Wild Night, and the ballads Thank You, Save the World, and Next 100 Years. Every other cut here is well-executed, with enough appeal at the classic rock and modern rock end of the totem to reach just about every listener out there.

Bon Jovi hasn't gotten old, just older (as the song puts it so eloquently). Crush alludes to glories of past (It's My Life) and looks to the future with a bright eye. It also tips it's hat to pure, decadent rock (One Wild Night). This album is on par with Bon Jovi's best, and while it's not quite as good as Def Leppard or Poison's recent efforts (Euphoria and Crack a Smile) it's bound to be more successful, because after all, to a degree, it's still perfectly OK to say you're a Bon Jovi fan. Albums like these show why.

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Flight of the Conchords (Audio CD) recently tagged "flight of the conchords" by Chordstrike

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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The really funny thing is..., July 4, 2008 This review is from: Flight of the Conchords (Audio CD) The really funny thing is, that the humor aside, this is just a really good album. (CD... project... whatever...)
If you aren't listening to the lyrics and just have it on the background you'll find the rhythms and sounds a little retro and old school sometimes.. but just extremely well done.
Unlike lots of comedy music acts, these guys are actually incredibly talented musicians with an incredible gift for song writing and musicality.
It's true what a couple reviews have said, that much of it is funnier and fresher in sound and and feel in the much more pared down live acoustic versions.
But it is kind of apples and oranges to me... and it all makes a nice salad.
I've found myself humming one or another of these songs for the past two weeks and, again-and-again - it is what I reach for to put in while I'm just surfing the web or whatever.
Often I'm not even listening intently to the lyrics and laughing any more... I'm just not thinking about it and grooving to the groove.

Best CD I've bought in a long time really.

- m

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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best of '08, May 20, 2008 This review is from: Flight of the Conchords (Audio CD) This summer was all about Flight of the Conchords. Forget about Rhianna and her umbrella, or shawty's gitten low, and all those other groups and performers. Give me the Rhymenacerous vs. the Hiphopotamus any day, they can spit rhymes like hot FIRE!!! Not only do they have a good beat, they're clever. My only criticism is what happenend to "Who Like's to Rock the Party?" The song that was continuously attempted to be sung on the show but was never finished. "Pencils in the Wind" is missing as well, but it's still one of the best records of 2008.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Always Good for a Chuckle, July 20, 2008 This review is from: Flight of the Conchords (Audio CD) Flight of the Conchords

If you're already familiar with Flight of the Conchords, then there's not a lot I need to tell you about this solid disc. If you're NOT familiar with Flight of the Conchords, well then, you may want to consider becoming such.

Flight of the Conchords is a "folk parody duo" that plays whimsical songs about whatever they happen to feel like writing about. Most of the tracks on this particular disc all stem from the first season of the TV show they did on HBO. Many of my favorites are contained herein, such as "Boom" and "Hiphopapotamus vs Rhymnocerous", and, "Bowie". A couple tracks make a second appearance on this disc, having already been featured in the "The Distant Future" EP. ("Business Time" is the first one that comes to mind.)

For anyone looking for a light-hearted, comical listen, this disc is definitely. If you're already into the Conchords, this disc will not disappoint. If you're new to them, for the price, this is a GREAT starting point.

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Lost Highway (Audio CD) recently tagged "bon jovi" by Chordstrike

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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Bon Jovi does it again, June 24, 2007 This review is from: Lost Highway (Audio CD) I was a hair band fan from way back and always loved Bon Jovi. What I always loved about the Hair Band days was the power ballad. The power ballad always had the strong hook and most importantly the strong lyrics. As the hair bands faded, I found what I loved in Country music. The strong hook and the powerful lyric, has been present in Country music for a long time. I am not a fan of some of the old time Country, but I am in the newer Country. Bon Jovi has taken that New Country in this albumn and even taken it further. This has the same Bon Jovi feel that I have always loved, yet it has that Nashville feel. I know there have been very personal feelings in the lyrics of this album from what has gone on in Sambora and Bryant's personal lives. That has just cemented the greatness of this. "A Whole Lot of Leaving Going On" totally exemplifies this. I am still proud of my Hair Band loving roots, and this album shows the growth of not only Bon Jovi as a band, but myself as a person also. The party anthems are still here, and it is great to have a country flavor to them. What else could you ask from Bon Jovi? Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Never mind the country label, June 20, 2007 This review is from: Lost Highway (Audio CD) One day in 1984, I bought Bon Jovi's self titled debut on cassette (yes, cassette, CD's were not out yet). Since that day, I've purchased every CD they have released. I feel every release had something to offer (of course, some more than others).

Fast forward just a few years, Bon Jovi releases what is labeled a country album. I just listened to the whole thing and I would say the country tag is not appropriate. This album is as country as "Slippery When Wet" was a heavy metal album if you know what I mean. Bon Jovi is a straight up rock and roll band. They always have been. Think about it. There are reasons why Bon Jovi lasted through changing musical styles of the past 23 years. The songs are great, Jon's voice is strong, and the band can play. In short, they have talent. And talent is what it's about - not following the next musical trend.

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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Freaking Awesome, June 19, 2007 This review is from: Lost Highway (Audio CD) This is the best Bon Jovi release in several years - the swap to Nashville really added to the mix in a GREAT way. Target has 2 bonus cuts - one a live version of "I Love This Town" and the other is a bonus track called "Walk Like A Man" - and only $9.99 Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?
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Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific (The New Broadway Cast) (Audio CD) recently tagged "south pacific" by Chordstrike

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79 of 82 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars there is nothin' like a good revival, June 5, 2008 This review is from: Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific (The New Broadway Cast) (Audio CD) it is too easy to judge a revival of a golden broadway hit by the template of the original and find the newer show wanting; this one is not, believe me. i can understand how frank rich of the new york times burst into tears in response to the opening night show; i almost did, too, when i listened to this cd for the first time. this edition of south pacific -- only the second on the broadway stage in 60 years -- is simply sublime. i found it better than the original in many ways. it is the best revival since guys and dolls with nathan lane, better than the recent revivals of the music man (close) kiss me kate (not so much) and pal joey (get oudda here...).

and folks who say this recording is insipid or lacks energy or that certain songs are "too well sung" are all wet. the orchestrations are true to the original ones, so the music will immediately sound familiar and comfortable, but now with 21st century technology and crystal clear sound so you can hear what the music sounded like to folks back in 1949.

kelli o'hara is out of sight as nellie forbush; her voice is pure and clear and pitch perfect and conveys all the energy you'd want and she interprets the lyrics "correctly" (read: as we have come to understand from mary martin and mitzi gaynor). she even affects a southern accent, and exudes way more in good looks and femininity than mary martin ever did, and is more energetic and more of a real singer than mitzi gaynor in the movie. they can mail kelli the tony right now.

paulo szot as emile de becque fills up the music hall with his baritone-bass voice on his big songs, especially twin soliloquies and this nearly was mine. some enchanted evening was a little softer than ezio pinza's and that song needs to be boomed out. i was as satisfied with his voice overall, however, as with pinza's or rossano brazzi's -- and paulo has a sort of robert goulet look about him, with a mustache no doubt meant to instantly convey the french planter look.

the only voices i found wanting and suffering in comparison with the originals were loretta ables sayre as bloody mary -- she is not juanita hall and sounds too much like a middle-aged lea salonga and not gravelly and rough enough to convey bloody mary's edge and cynicism as hall did so well especially on bali ha'i or even happy talk

-- and matthew morrison, as joe cable, who has to strain to hit the high notes on younger than springtime, which william tabbert in the original show never had any problem with. springtime, along with some enchanted evening, are the male arias in this opera and need big voices to carry them off and morrison's is too thin. even on my girl back home he seems to be straining a bit. he does convey more youth than tabbert or john kerr, who played joe cable in the movie, did, which may be what R & H had in mind for the character.

the ensemble numbers -- there is nothin' like a dame, wash that man right outta my hair and i'm in love with a wonderful guy -- are strong and energetic; certainly no complaints there; every bit as good as the original.

one advantage of cds is that you can get more material on them than on lp records so there is some dialogue, which especially is effective when emile introduces his two children to nellie and she reacts as only a carefully taught bigoted southern belle would; you get more context for the drama and progression of the story in the songs.

the show is edgier and more up front and in your face re the race issue than the movie was; anyone who thinks rodgers and hammerstein were all warm and fuzzy fluffmeisters need only watch this show or listen to this cd -- and take a harder look at flower drum song to see that they had courage to confront, sometimes with seriousness and sometimes with humor, the race issue. finian's rainbow, which came out at about the same time, addressed it, too, but only showboat -- which came out 20 years before -- when done right and in its entirety with its full gravity and not as a minstrel show, confronts the race issue more and better than does south pacific.

i think there was an idealistic, optimistic (but not cockeyed) feeling in 1949 that it was a new world after the war and we all had a chance for a fresh start, under new rules, and the old rules, including of racial discrimination, were fair game to be overturned,, in polynesia as well as on main street usa, so R & H saw the opportunity to use michener's story as their soapbox to lend their voices to that movement.

if you are only going to buy one south pacific and want the best and most enjoyable one to listen to, i would buy this one rather than the original cast recording or the movie; i had both of those already, but from now on, this is the one i will mainly listen to -- it is that good.

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34 of 42 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars SOUTH PACIFIC 2008 CAST ALBUM A DISAPPOINTMENT, May 27, 2008 This review is from: Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific (The New Broadway Cast) (Audio CD) The current 2008 Lincoln Center revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, is an absolutely wonderful evening of entertainment, fully deserving of all the praise it has garnered so far. Unfortunately, little if any of the magic and excitement that the stage performance has in spades is to be found on this cast recording of the show. It is truly disappointing to report that the songs are sung here by the principals as if they have left their stage personas behind and decided to merely sing the songs as pop tunes rather than within the context of the show. Paulo Szot, in particular, gives rather lackluster performances of Emile de Becque's songs. On the stage, his acting and singing are exemplary but on this recording he appears to be singing phonetically, giving the impression he does not understand what the lyrics mean, certainly not the case in his stage performance. Even Kelli O'Hara, a superb singer whose voice is perfect for Nellie Forbush, sings her songs so carefully that it appears that she is trying to be letter perfect in her vocal delivery but little else, again in severe contrast from her stage vocals. Matthew Morrison, as Cable is the weakest singer in the show and that is evident even more so on this recording, but at least on the stage he more than made up for his vocal shortcomings by delivering a multi-layered acting performance in the role, which is of little consequence on this recording. In contrast, Loretta Ables Sayre, as Bloody Mary sings her numbers very close to what was heard on the stage and comes across best of all on this recording. The best that can be said of this cast album of SOUTH PACIFIC is that if you are looking for a memento of the stage production and you are completely unfamiliar with any other previous recordings of this score, it will probably be to your liking. It just is not as good as the live stage performance with the same cast.

The best recording of SOUTH PACIFIC remains the 1958 soundtrack South Pacific (1958 Film Soundtrack), which still sounds great and features definitive vocal performances and lush, atmospheric orchestral and choral work that has never been equaled on any recording of SOUTH PACIFIC. The still available 1949 Original Broadway Cast South Pacific (Original 1949 Broadway Cast) with Mary Martin & Ezio Pinza is truly special but the sound is not so good. The soundtrack offers the best combination of performance and sound ever accorded this score. In fact Richard Rodgers himself proclaimed at the time that the 1958 soundtrack was the most perfect recording of SOUTH PACIFIC ever. This 2008 revival cast album has done nothing to change that assessment.

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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Something Must Have Gotten Lost, September 19, 2008 This review is from: Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific (The New Broadway Cast) (Audio CD) The first Broadway revival of "South Pacific" has been greeted with absolutely ecstatic reviews and a host of awards. I honestly don't think I've seen or read a single negative thing about this production. However, something must have been lost in the translation to CD, because I find this recording to be little more than mildly entertaining.

Musically, there is very little fault to be found with this CD. The performeres all have good (and in the case of Kelli O'Hara and Paolo Szot, great) voices. O'Hara's crystal clear tone rings like a bell on her songs, and Brazilian opera star Szot uses his expert understanding of musicality and dynamics to good effect. Szot is particularly impressive on "Some Enchanted Evening," where his voice caresses the melody and makes this oft-sung song sound new again.

Even more impressive is the orchestra, which at nearly 30 pieces is one of the largest on Broadway. This recording will make you long (if you don't already) for the days when such large pit orchestras were common, because they sound absolutely fabulous. From the first sumptuous chords of the "Bali Ha'i" melody that begin the overture to the final ultimo, the musicians - under the expert baton of conductor Ted Sperling - transport you to the tropical South Pacific and find every ounce of texture in the score's orchestrations.

With so much right, why only three stars? Well, it's almost as if the score is a little too perfect. In taking such care with the music, the performers seem to have lost the life of the characters. Rodgers & Hammerstein's brilliance was their ability to write beautiful melodies while serving story and character. The people they wrote these songs for are living life to the fullest, and experiencing a plethora of emotions they can only express in song. Many of the tracks on this CD lack that life and vigor. When we get the occassional glimmer of true feeling (such as during O'Hara's delightfully playful take on "Honey Bun"), it makes the rest of the CD that much more disappointing in comparason.

Don't get me wrong; I'm sure the show as performed nightly at the Vivan Beaumont is excellent. This recording does a lot of things right, and I know many people will absolutely adore listening to it again and again. But for me, I want more conviction captured on the CD, since like many people who buy it I will probably not get the chance to see the show live.

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Mo Beauty (Audio CD) recently tagged "clap your hands say yeah" by Chordstrike

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Have a Nice Day (Audio CD) recently tagged "bon jovi" by Chordstrike

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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars With a familiar yet altered sound, Have A Nice Day stands on its own in the Bon Jovi catalog...but is that a good thing?, September 20, 2005 This review is from: Have a Nice Day (Audio CD) Love them or hate them, throughout Bon Jovi's career this band has been very consistent in keeping their core sound while slightly embellishing it with different colors and styles to keep the band 'relevant' as the music scene changed over time. The way I look at it, you can evenly divide these guys catalog into 5 different eras:

"Bon Jovi" and "7800 Farenheit" -
The beginning of their career. At times struggling to find their own sound but showing signs of potential through what was mostly weak songwriting...these albums did have some high points but they were few and far between.

"Slippery when Wet" and "New Jersey" -
Their rise to superstardom. Yeah they were lumped in with the hair band scene (and why not? Big hair, Power Ballads) but never really sounded like any of the bands from that era. Both of these albums are landmarks of the 80's and the songwriting was so strong you couldn't deny their talent.

"Keep the Faith" and "These Days" -
Their break into the 90's music scene. Same core sound used for Slippery and NJ...but changed ever so slightly to appeal to a broader audience. "Faith" showed the band could still write irrisistable hooks and excel at many different styles of music while "These Days" showed a darker more somber side of the band, yet the songs remained memorable.

"Crush" and "Bounce" -
Their attempt to stay on top in the new millenium. "Crush" showed the band at their most mature and introspective...again, same core sound...yet modernized with new age production and more variation in the instrumentation of the song arrangements...and, once again, strong and memorable songs. "Bounce" was a natural progression of "Crush" yet contained a number of lackluster songs that sounded 'thrown together'...but overall a solid release.

"Cross Roads", "One Wild Night Live", "This Left Feels Right", and "100'000'000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong" -
The odds and ends they've released over the years...a greatest hits album with 3 new cuts, a live record, a collection of reworked/rearranged classics, and a 5 disc box set of B sides and rarities. (the first two being very good releases while the latter two mainly just for the die-hards).

Now as far as me personally, I feel "New Jersey" is the bands best work yet ironically "These Days" is actually my favorite album (go figure). After 100 million albums sold, countless #1 hits, sold out tours around the world...you have to ask...what else is there to prove? The answer....nothing. There is nothing this band can do that they haven't already acheived so when a new Bon Jovi release arrives I find it hard to believe its just a quick cash grab or an attempt at commercial success.

So now...after the previous 5 eras of the bands career comes "Have a Nice Day"...the new chapter so to speak. As soon as the title track "Have A Nice Day" opens the album...I'm thinking...this a killer old school rock n roll Bon Jovi song. I don't think any Bon Jovi fan can listen to this song and not be reminded why they fell in love with this band in the first place and sing a long to the chorus...classic Bon Jovi song...but...it is also the only track that has that 'familiar' sound on the entire album...getting worried? Well, let me finish.

It becomes readily apparent that this album follows the same trend the band has used in the past...the core sound is still present...yet there are new elements added. The song arrangements favor the ones from "Crush", the tones and guitar work favor "Keep the Faith"...yet the melodies, vocal harmonies, and overall feel of the album is very diferent from anything the band has done in the past. Jon Bon Jovi's vocals are surprising strong throughout the record, often using the full range of his voice most thought was long gone. Richie Sambora's trademark vocal harmonies are much more prominent than they were on the last couple of studio efforts and his guitar work is as tasteful as ever (with over half of the tracks contaning solos). The production is very 'rock' sounding with a nice low end and exceptional clarity. And of course...the most important thing...the songs are very memorable and well written with really no filler at all. Heres a track by track review:

"Have a Nice Day" -
As I stated above, this is just a straight up rock anthem. Very guitar driven with an irresistable hook in the chorus. Just a great song with a driving groove and uplifting lyrics that are slightly tongue in cheek. Great way to start an album.

"I Want to be Loved" -
Another guitar driven song with the verse containing Sambora's trademark "Talk Box" work. This is a departure from the usual Bon Jovi formula and is actually refreshing to hear the band try something with a modern rock vibe.

"Welcome to Wherever you Are" -
A ballad of sorts, with great vocal harmonies and again uplifting lyrics. This song is very catchy and the chorus will stick in your head for days. I'm pretty sure this is scheduled to be the next single and rightfully so. Great song.

"Who Says You Can't Go Home" -
You think the last song was catchy? This song upon first listen has a very modern country feel to it (which of course was intentional). Most of todays country artists should take notes because this song is just one huge hook. Again, a departure from the normal formula but it works so damn well.

"Last Man Standing" -
This was a song written for the "This Left Feels Right" album but was pulled at the last minute and later resurfaced on the box set. If you are familiar with the box set version you will be surprised...its been given a full on rock makeover, driving drums, tons of guitars, and a different arrangement on the backing vocals with Sambora singing much more than on the original version. Great song with a great message.

"Bells of Freedom" -
Another near-ballad. Great vocal hooks, gentle acoustic guitar/piano arrangement and a great chorus. Even though there are some slower ballad type songs...the overall 'rock' feel is apparent in every song.

"Wildflower" -
This song reminds me of "Mystery Train" from "Crush". Smooth arrangement and great lyrics. Again, the words memorable, catchy, hooky come to mind when listening...good song.

"Last Cigarette" -
The biggest departure on the album. It took a couple of listens to wrap it around my head and after that I realized its so damn catchy it really stands out. I cant really explain the sound of the song but I've never heard a Bon Jovi song sound exactly like this...it almost sounds like a pop song from the early 70s...but unmistakably Bon Jovi.

"I Am" -
Another of the standout tracks. Incredible melodies and just overall a great well written anthem. Jon's vocals in the chorus are especially strong. One of the best on the disc.

"Complicated" -
Similar to "I Want to be Loved" but a little more catchy in the chorus. Very guitar driven with a good beat and of course great hooks.

"Novocaine" -
One of my personal favs on the album. The chorus has a great 3 part vocal arrangement and a great rockin beat and once again the lyrics really shine. Nice short and sweet slide solo by Richie too.

"Story of my Life" -
Another straight up memorable rock tune. Strong lyrics, strong melodies, strong song. Another nice solo by Sambora on this one (like all the leads on the disc they are short and tasteful...sure I love to hear Richie rip, but his lead work on this album is very good...lyrical, soulful, trademark Richie).

"Who Says You Can't Go Home" -
An additional version of this song closes the album as a duet between Jon and Jennifer Nettles of country act Sugarland. It just adds to the overall country feel of the song and Nettles vocals work very well with Jons.

To be completely honest, alot of the songs on here took at least 2 or 3 listens to really stick in my head. Alot of Bon Jovi's albums had alot of really great songs but also had some filler tracks (mainly Bounce and the latter half of Keep the Faith)..."Have a Nice Day" differs in the sense that every song is memorable. Instead of having 5 or 6 or whatever number of great songs then having tracks that basically just fill up space on the album...everything is evenly spaced into 12 well written memorable songs...so after 2 or 3 listens to the album in its entirity...the individual songs begin to standout more and thats where this record truly shines.

The Dual Disc version of the record contains the video for "Have A Nice Day", An EPK containing interviews with the band about the album, and a live footage performance from Nov 2004 in Atlantic City containing 5 songs, "Everyday" "Miss Fourth of July" "I Get A Rush" "These Arms are..." and "The Radio Saved my Life Tonight".

"Have a Nice Day" is a great memorable album written by some guys from Jersey who have conquered the music industry and have stood the test of time. Theres no need to compare this album to any of the previous releases...this is the next era in Bon Jovi's career. You can wish all you want for another "New Jersey" or what not...but it aint gonna happen...they've been there, done that, and have moved forward. The core sound is still here and the songwriting is still here...what more could you ask for. Love it or hate it..."Have a Nice Day" proves that no matter what happens in the music scene...Bon Jovi will always be here and if they keep releasing quality albums like this...they will at least help one fan have a nice day.

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Sounds great, July 22, 2006 This review is from: Have a Nice Day (Audio CD) Other than greatest hits this is the first Bon Jovi CD I have ever purchased. I love their sound and their songs but have never thought they were strong enough to produce an good CD. I was wrong. Since I don't carry any baggage for this band perhaps my view was different than some others. I don't care who wrote the songs or played guitor or piano. It was just good, fun music. My 14 and 12 year old sons liked it as well. The lyrics are that of a thoughtful man who has been around the world and is still having fun although there is some reflection. The music is just good straight forward rock. It isn't alternative, heavy metal or new age - just what you have come to expect from Bon Jovi. Rock on! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? 

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