Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches

This album feels like I am at a party that a friend invited me to but then couldn't show up and now I don't know anyone and I am awkwardly standing by the snacks in the hopes that someone will start a conversation with me.

There are a couple of legendary tracks for 90's era Madchester and some iconic lines and characters within. I just have never really took to the scene. Shaun Ryder and Bez great fun but yeah it's all a bit tepid for dance indie.

What a strange paradox how this one island can have so much exportable, compelling music with so much dimension to it, and then it also pushes out some really trite and distinctly Anglo-boring stuff.

This is a fun record. Very reminiscent of early Chumbawamba records, which makes sense. I'll be adding this to my rotation.

I have already reviewed a Happy Mondays album. It was terrible. I hope this one is better. This album is a little better. Some of the songs have melody and hooks. Shawn Ryder does not have a good voice. The only song that stands out is Kinky Afro. The rest of the songs are mediocre. This is an average album. Three stars.

En platta utan toppar, men det beror på att alla låtarna är lika jävla bra. Rytmsektionen svänger helvete samtidigt som sång och gitarrmelodier, fräser på indiemaner. Så många band ställde sig på deras axlar. Tyvärr missade jag det när det hände eftersom jag inte brydde mig om dansmusik. En femma.

Cohesion: 4/5 Theme & Narrative: 0/1 Sonic Identity: 1/1 Arrangement Synergy: 1/1 Genre Authenticity; 1/1 Transitions & Flow; 1/1 Production: 4/5 Clarity & Balance; 0.5/1 Vocal Delivery; 0.5/1 Sound Design; 1/1 Dynamic Depth; 1/1 Mastering; 1/1 Enjoyability: 1.5/5 Immediate Engagement; 0.5/1 Replay Value; 0/1 Emotional Resonance; 0.5/1 Playlist Potential; 0/1 Sticking Power; 0.5/1 Songwriting: 2.5/5 Lyrics; 0.5/1 Melody; 0.5/1 Structure & Contrast; 1/1 Hook; 0.5/1 Prosody & Emotional Resolution; 0/1 Favourite Songs: 2/10 - Bob’s yer uncle - Holiday Final Thoughts: - For fans of the genre they would probably enjoy but it just isn’t for me - What I found interesting was in Bob’s yer uncle they turned an innocent rhythm of a childrens counting rhyme and turn it into something deliberately vulgar - Good production in some of the songs although the vocal delivery and lyrics were a bit meh - Only two tracks stood out to me from the rest

Love it!

Two Happy Mondays albums on this is a piss take. 1.5/5. Raising to 2.

Umm... I have heard of the Happy Mondays. They are cheery and fun... but with all these albums that come and go and all the gems and disappointments inevitable to such a long term project... I was waiting for "that song" that I would be like "Oh yeah, so this is the band behind this song!" But it stayed kind of abstract for me. I may have heard them a few times and not even been unmoved, after all they are a dance band! But at the same time, IDK. They are okay. I think this is a kind of regular niche band No clear hit making and no duds really either, so sure, put them on a playlist for a fun night partying but don't expect anything too outstanding.

Fair to decent songs elevated by an innovative approach of melding straight ahead rock with nascent DJ culture. Oakenfeld backs everything with clean, satisfying club beats that are probably the difference between this album being memorable and being forgotten.

Mid

It's good, but the singer's voice annoys me.. It's not problematic but it's there. Best song: Kinky Afro Worst song: Donovan 7/10

Lame ass album

There were some elements I enjoyed and others I didn’t. My favourite tracks were Step On and Holiday. I also enjoyed Bob’s Yer Uncle for its rhythms and instrumentals. I was leaning towards a 2, but gave it a 3 since I listened to all the songs without skipping.

It’s ok. Interesting and not. 2.5

This was pretty cool! There’s a lot going on here but I was into it.

A few real gems in this but it is nowhere near as good as Bummed imho. A little bit too clean. I don't hear the psychedelia or the dance music influence as much as is claimed. I've never liked Step On.

Average

Good instrumental

Crazy experimental instrumental, voice turns me off, some song are pretty good, bad re listen value

Fine, I guess, but I find Kinky Afro irritating.

This album is like watching an insane magic show. Like they’re setting up the trick and you’re thinking “There’s no way this will work.” Then it just fucking does. Almost every song feels this way. Amazing. Listened to it multiple times.

Sounds like Ween? I gave it maybe 3 listens because I kept getting distracted and some of the songs really grew on me. Accessible but complex enough and entertaining.

Gewoon ok

nice enough

The whole Madchester scene ain't for me.

I mean, this is probably better than Bummed to be fair, but it doesn't set me alight. Favourite tracks: Step On.

2,5/5

3.5

A fine but utterly forgettable album. Didn’t mind listening through but could not identify how any of it sounded

I enjoyed it - probably not enough to come back to it again though. I was not aware of the band before this although I recognized and really liked “Step On”.

That was surreal'90s dance club nostalgia

Enjoyed the sound and style. Some of the album dragged a little on the second half.

Was I happy after listening to it? Not really but it was good

Mid-British-wankary. It's from Manchester so I guess it's supposed to be important or something. It certainly doesn't feel like it's important. It's kind meh.

Big fat “meh” of an album. Listened to it Friday….forgot it by Sunday

Day 70 It's DARE (Uh) Fav track: Step On

Not complete album in Library

This album deserves a little more love. I moved to DC in 1990 and this CD was my companion, on constant repeat, and made me happy during a lonely transition to a big city. A love child of the scene that gave us New Order and Stone Roses. And I totally forgot how good "Bob's Yer Uncle" is - it's such a great song I was dancing while doing the dishes tonight. Happy Madchester vibes 36 years later.

-Tracks longer than 3:59: Yes -Long tracks interesting or special: it really, although bringing catchy chorus around to end some of the songs worked. -Album shorter than 58 minutes: Yes. -Will listen to album again: Unlikely Overall: Meh. Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. Some of the songs were catchy, but nothing stood out to me.

I really hope that on his deathbed Lydon surprises us all and tells us it’s all been a joke. That he’s actually a super nice guy, hates Trump, thinks bands like Green Day and Nirvana made some great music, and that he was just doing some performance art to get people to think. Alas, I think that’s unlikely. I do think he’s just an asshole who is profoundly insecure. And this album sucks. There are some reasonably catchy tunes on the album, but even those aren’t particularly interesting or memorable. And the first three songs…a 14 year olds idea of being in an “angry” band.

Pop, Rock, 1990 -> 2-3

Wat is dit nou weer voor blije flauwigheid. Heel melige, dansbare Britpop, met gekke fluitjes en mallotige, bij vlagen scabreuze teksten. 'Madchester' dus, kennelijk. En een blikken keyboardje dat het ongenadig op 1990 dateert. Naja, ik kon d'r wel weer om lachen.

Het hitje Step On biedt een een typisch eind '80s / 'begin '90s geluid. Hier komt waarschijnlijk het wiki-bakje 'alternative dance' vandaan. Want de basis van de rest van het album ligt voor mijn gevoel wat meer in de brit-pop of soms punk-light (Grandbag's funeral...) hoek met in elk geval een typische zang. Niet dat de beatjes en loopjes ontbreken. Sterker nog, die helpen om het album toch nog goed verteerbaar (en dus vergeetbaar) te maken. Ik gaf aan een luistermaatje Paul Oakenfold die credits. Maar die geeft ze vrolijk door aan Steve Osborne lees ik.

Rock uit de 90s en ik heb er nog nooit van gehoord? Oh wacht, het is Madchester, precies het genre wat ik maar matig vind. Ook hier zit regelmatig een bepaalde bas en drum in, die precies bij die Madchester-sound past en die ik niet tof vind. Er zit wel een bekend nummer in, maar Step On herken ik pas als ik het hoor. En over het geheel krijg ik er allemaal iets teveel jeuk van. Die zanger zingt ook op zo'n typische manier, dat irriteert me ook. Alleen het gitaartje is eigenlijk te pruimen. Ik hou het op een zure 2 sterren vandaag.

It’s ok I guess! 3/5

I listened to this a few days ago and barely remember it. Kinda bland, but it isn't bad necessarily. There are just things I'd rather listen to. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

They were proper manic Sallie’s with a record contract. It’s not weathered. Some good grooves but Shaun’s lyrics are awful, it’s all a bit empty.

Something completely different for me. Solid but not super memorable

I had forgotten that Happy Mondays had already appeared on this list once; that's how forgettable that other record was. This one was a bit better, but it still lacks any distinct sound. The songs are too long, and they stretch out ideas and melodies for far longer than needed - especially the pretty tasteless and gross 'Bob's Yer Uncle' on here. Credit where credit is due, the riff on 'God's Cop' was mean, and the song in general had this really punchy and infectious groove, and doesn't feel so floppy or lifeless as everything else here - it does that same new-wavey dance thing but in a far more engaging way. 'Loose Fit' was also pretty memorable; the sort of reverby, The Cure-esque gothic guitar lead was the highlight here, but the overall song was well constructed. I just can't help but feel like Blue Monday's sound on this record was already growing outdated by 1990. Again, not as outright boring as 'Bummed', but it still felt

A great birthday present. Took me back to my clubbing days…

Opening with one of the defining Madchester tunes, this is where indie guitars meet house trance. The power of chemical sustenance creating an excellent album.

That was a Happy Thursday

I wonder how much better I'd have been at my job if I'd also spent my days coked to the gills. 5*

just meh

No me gustó, muy equis

This is terrible. It has a really dated 80s sound and not in a good way. It’s basically the 'we have runway fashion music at home' meme.

Can't really imagine a universe where people must hear two albums by Happy Mondays before they die but are somehow told they need never hear an album by Warren Zevon. Oh wait! I guess according to Robert Dimery, that's the universe we're currently living in! No wonder my life doesn't make any sense!

No, not like Bez. Nothing like fucking Bez.

It is happy and innovative, with bright guitars and tight rhythm section, but it is not to my taste

Ja war ok aber ziemlich normal. Ich geb dem so ne 2,5

Eh. Just not something I care to revisit

Seems like something I'd like - but I really don't like most of the songs 2/5

This sounds like if the Talking heads made music in the 90s- an evolution of their distinctive 70s sound. It’s pretty good, but hard to pick any individual favorite from. Also didn’t feel compelled to skip. That’s a win. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Nice blast from the past. The keys / piano is great.

I want this album to have my children. I've already had albums on the list that made me want to run through a wall and albums that make me want to fight God. This one makes me want to run through a wall to fight God.

another funky one! lots of really cool sounds in here, feels really 80s and is great to listen to. i would happily throw this on in the background while with the bros sort of music. synth synth synth and indie rock

A nice sounding psychedelic album. Some really well written songs on here. An easy listen.

It really did nothing to me.

More less.

Decent instrumentation. Kind of borrows from U2 at times but that’s fine. But it’s a shame about the terrible vocals… and the lyrics.

This album was fine. And honestly, that’s about the strongest reaction I had to it. Most of the songs landed right around three-star territory for me. “Grandbag’s Funeral” had a nice groove, I enjoyed some of the guitar work throughout the album, and “Dennis and Lois” was one of the better tracks. Nothing was particularly bad, but nothing really grabbed me either. “Step On” was clearly the standout. It has a catchy groove and more personality than the rest of the album, although it also sounded to me like a cheaper version of INXS. Happy Mondays feels like somebody heard “Need You Tonight” through the wall at a party and said, “Right. We can do something with that.” Overall, this feels like a band I wouldn’t mind seeing as an opening act. I’d enjoy their set well enough, but I’d still be waiting for the headliner. Perfectly listenable. Perfectly average. I don’t need more Happy Mondays in my life, although apparently the 1001 Albums generator may have other plans.

This was good stuff. Maybe not quite as strong as Stone Roses or Charlatans, but I'd listen again for sure.

Un álbum muy divertido, tiene 3 o 4 temazos rompepistas incontestables.

In what world must I hear this before I die? Not this one that's for sure

A fun listen that was mostly new to me, though Step Up is a song I’ve had saved in my favorite list for some time. A fun preview of bands like Primal Scream and Parquet Courts.

Meh

Interesting album and can see the influence on EDM explosion that happened in 90s. Still very repetitive

It was ok, but not very memorable. 2.5/5

Whatever

Fun, but nothing special

third album release from british alt dance-rock band happy mondays. hiring new members, including a dj, recording for the album started once the blokes finished up a united states tour. their usage of loops, samples, sludgy druggy lyrical songwriting and madchester aesthetics managed to get up to one of the top spots on the uk albums chart. this is a pretty interesting alt dance album, i guess you can call it. some very quirky and contemporary sounds this time around, there's some classic pop and maybe some soul and disco stuff in there too? i don't know, something about the hooks and the some of the instrument/percussion choices... it gets oddly sunny and shagadelic more often than not. a lot of the beats paired with the raw recordings, it's a uber-clean mix. singing is a little rough sometimes, but this one was surprisingly better than i thought it would be.

Irritatingly overconfident and fairly repulsive.

no lo terminé de escuchar todavía pero ya no le da ni loco para 4 estrellas, está entre el 6/7

I had only lightly heard this before. It got more interesting the second go around. The production, tinny and trebley, though holds me back from going in deeper.

Pretty darn good album. I'm not entirely sure why Happy Mondays didn't make it in the US. Maybe it was the band's stage presence (the guy with maracas). I don't know. I'm just happy to see them on this list.

Oh, great, another British band I've never heard of. As for the album, it was ok. There were a few good bits, but also a few bits that felt like poor imitations of 70s American soul. Most of it is just guitar pop with an electronic tinge, nothing really special. I don't get why this one is on the list at all. This album is ranked #17 of 22 albums for 1990. Other 1990 albums rated by me: People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm(2/22)-5 Heaven or Las Vegas(3/22)-4 Bossanova(4/22)-5 Fear of a Black Planet(5/22)-5 Shake Your Money Maker(6/22)-2 I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got(7/22)-4 Ragged Glory(12/22)-5 The La's(13/22)-3 En-Tact(22/22)-1

It grew on me.

Very loose sounding. The dance rhythms with the guitars are a good mix.

C’est ok J’ai pas tout écouté

Bof bof

2.3/5

This is pretty generic Brit Pop with electro beats.

Not my thing unfortunately, neither vocals or sounds

Kinky afro

Man kopumā patika, bet nebija dziesmas, kas ļoti izcēlās vai vispār palika atmiņā

Very enjoyable album from this Manchester band.

702/1001 2026.09.15 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

One of the more surprising and confounding discoveries from this project. Based on my listening history I shouldn't like the Happy Mondays all that much, but once again, I'm pulled into their strange draw. I think it's the way they Frankenstein different styles together that is more inviting and interesting than their peers. This album is more refined and polished than their previous outings making it easier to get into. On a side note, I can't help but think how strange the possibility of the baggy clothes and bowl cuts fashion fad of the 90's I grew up with may have had it's roots in Manchester rave culture..