Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches

This album has a lot of elements that I theoretically should like, but I just couldn't bring myself to care about any of it. I think I'm going to have to re-evaluate some of my earlier ratings because this album really showed me what a 2/5 is.

Album No. 0194 on my list. I don't know why, but while the self-titled debut album of The Stone Roses is among my favorite albums of all time, I had never paid much attention to either of the two other Madchester bands, i.e. Inspiral Carpets and Happy Mondays. Of both these bands, I had only known exactly one song. In case of Happy Mondays, it was "Step On" of course. Anyway, I was kinda curious what this album had to offer. And I think that "Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches" is an interesting album indeed. It's rock music, but it's also pretty groovy, somewhat experimental and pretty dance-able. You can hear some punk influences, you can hear some early electronica influences, you can hear the classic rock influences. I'm not a huge fan of the tracks themselves (they just don't appeal to me that much), but in essence, this is a pretty solid album. I'll add "Kinky Afro", "God's Cop", and "Step On" (of course) to my playlist. 3/5 stars!

Meh

Pa čak ni nije loše, casual listening! 3/5, 5/10

🎧Like Garfield, I love lasagna and hate Mondays

The Stone Roses debut is absolutely amazing. And there were a few other albums from the scene that are worth hearing. But there was a lot of garbage that washed up on the beach the next morning. Including this nonsense. Over-produced tracks cynically built up from the Madchester cliches, fronted by an atonal meat-head. (Seriously, Sean Ryder is, artistically, like a British version of Kid Rock.) The inclusion of this album is just more confirmation that while Dimery's concept is great, and he's clearly paid attention to certain scenes over the course of his life, he does not have much of an ear for music.

More fun than I expected, seeing how lukewarm alot of the reviews have been.

Not bad but an artefact of its time.

Jesus FUCK, WHY SO MUCH BRITPOP. Fuck off already.

A delightful discovery to find this band and album. Every track was enjoyable and had something that drew me in, usually the guitars but the bass and crisp drums are killing it on all the tracks as well. High energy but not overwhelming, I can put it on in the background and vibe or focus on it and both work. Instant addition to a regular rotation. Ill have to look close at Madchester music as a result because this was where it was at.

i actually unironically really love this album. it's hilarious, but i also think it's got a really interesting mix of early rave ideas / traditional guitars or drums and the like. i think there are few out there who can compare to shawn ryder's absolute gift for lyrics.

i only went with your mother cause she’s DIIIRTY

I like 'Kinky Afro' and 'Loose Fit' a lot!!!!!! Tends to be more up my alley when it is house-ier .

Nothing wrong with it but it didn’t really get me going

I really like these grooves, even if I couldn’t quote a thing

S'pretty guud

I actually kind of liked this but it started to be pretty repetitive.

Like this a lot. Love making rock instruments into dance music, it's very innovative and I found it entrancing at times.

I know this album from my college years, I may have owned it, but in no way would I consider this a Top 1001 album you must hear before you die. The Brit favoritism is coming in again, this barely made a dent in the USA and spawned a minor hit (#57) in "Step On". While "Step On" was a hit and sounds fantastic on headphones, "God's Cop", "Kinky Afro" & "Bob's Yer Uncle" were catchy and add value to the release. Most of the album is vanilla. "Grandbag's Funeral", "Holiday" and "Harmony" are just plain awful. This being album included in the T1001 falls in line with some of the other suspect Brit releases that have somehow made it. Handful of good songs but nothing to justify a spot in the ALL TIME LIST of Top 1001 Albums you must hear before you die. 3 stars is generous.

Well I like who they influenced but I can't particularly say I like them

this did absolutely nothing for me

Really? Another "Brit synth house LP you must listen to before you die." No I don't, and I won't.

Just so fucking good. Listened to this today walking in the sunshiiiine, through Manchester's NQ. Vibing. Had to stop myself doing the simian walk

Some great tracks, captures a moment perfectly, Fucking love Shaun and Bez.

Może to mój dobry nastrój, a może to po prostu dobra płyta. Nie jest wybitna, nie wkręca się w mózg tytanowymi śrubami, ale jest ciekawa. Kojarzy mi się z takim trochę bardziej tanecznym U2. 6.5/10 równane w górę.

This was painfully boring. It started off fun/ strong but lost its spark as it went on

Mid

Dirty and boring.

Double double good. Double double good, good.

it feels boring. average songs.

Not my thing

Like this album. Don't love it though. Fun sound, I am a big fan of the drumming performance, but it definitely becomes a bit repetitive towards the end. No major criticism, but nothing that blows me away either. Favorite track: God's Cop

Woah, I saw this bright billboard collage album art and wasn't expecting quite what I got. It's a group of "happy" rockers and they're decent, but a dedicated listen turned me off a bit. The band is talented and eccentric, the effort goes through a rollercoaster of sound, which works, but leans more towards a compilation than a dedicated studio effort. I also can't take the vocals and lyrics seriously at all. I might appreciate an instrumental version more. They're not bad, they're not great. They sound very '90s. I don't know how much I can appreciate the danceable rock concept. That's what funk is for. 2.3/5

fun

I’m

Its fine. I don't have much to say about it. It didn't blow my mind at all.

There was a single tracks that I thought sounded kind of interesting, but only because it sounded nothing like the rest of the album. Jangly synth and back-of-the-throat vocals are just not my jam I guess.

Didn't really love it, don't think the band is for me.

Oakenfold remixes slightly improved, but not by much.

Wow, 3 albums que j’aime d’affilé! J’espère que rien de mal va m’arriver demain 🤞🤞

I like this one, good rock-electronic mix.

Garbage

This is fine. Definitely “happy” sounding. Not incredibly compelling music though

One of my Favourite albums of all time. Instant 5/5. Shaun Ryders lyrics are simple yet sometimes also complex. His vocals are unconventional but are EXTREMELY unique. This is about the music with the late 80s Dance vibes and seedy unground sounds. Happy Mondays is usually thrown in conversation with “The Stone Roses” (whose debut is also 5/5) but there’s just something different about this. It may be a bit dated but it’s of it’s time but also OUTSIDE it.

It was ok, nothing bad to say about it, but won't remember in a day.

Gonna come back to this one one day and like it more, i bet.

I bought this album when it was first released. Hearing it now for the first time in many years, it’s a bit more interesting than I’d remembered and, certainly, musically much more sophisticated than their previous two albums had been. I also hadn’t realised quite how many cultural cross-references there are in the lyrics. A couple of the songs on here, eg Step On, are real bangers.

Some of this was familiar but much was new to me. I'm probably being unfair on the band, but I played this whilst working on something fairly complex so wasn't concentrating. To me the tracks blended into each other with little to discern between most of them. That's not to say the album is boring. It was OK to listen to and I didn't skip parts.

This was a hard album to place. I feel like these guys are really in between different styles. Sometimes that makes for a pretty intriguing listen but in this case I just felt a bit lost. There were a couple songs that I liked but probably more than I didn't care for.

As someone living outside the UK, I'm genuinely curious how britpop became so popular outside the UK and not madchester? This is the second madchester album I've gotten from the list and I like it so much more than any of the britpop albums that have been generated. Maybe it's just because it's new to me and I haven't heard it thousands of times like Oasis and Blur? Would I feel differently if madchester managed to break out of the UK and britpop didn't?

Shimmery, reverby indie, with dance/rave influences and plenty of swagger. Precursor to britpop. Still sounds pretty fresh considering it's from 1990. Few tracks in the indie side comes out more. Best track - God's Cop, Loose Fit, Bob's Yer Uncle 3.5 stars - pretty good, great in places, but not overwhelmingly so

-1 star if i could give except for 0.75 of one song

This album is so nothing. There is nothing cool about it, no good hooks, nothing that grabs me and tells me to love it. It’s so bland and inoffensive to the point that I get angrier than I have the right to be.

не

# Album Name: Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches # Artist: Happy Mondays # Rating: 5/5 # Comments: Love this album. So many bangers. So many good times off it in the club. Great tunes. STill rocking it hard live today. Even though these guys should be dead. # Top Tunes: Whole album is great # Would I listen to it again? Yes

Good stuff! relaxing, psychedelic, easy listening, a bit samey but excellent up beat background

laughable

Another Oasis-adjacent band, but dance-y and with some songs you know and forgot about.

I thought we had something here, but it came up short

Definitely not.

Honestly much better than I thought.

Decent, was surprised by how poppy and electronic it would get. I was expecting punk!

Pretty forgettable

ładne it's not one of "no skips" records there are some highlights but in general it was okey

Favourite Songs: God's Cop Bob's Yer Uncle

Sounded like generic 90s

2.6 2x catch up 3/3 nothing special

Based on this album and other similar ones I’ve already heard on this list, the only reason Madchester was ever put on a higher pedestal than other 90s dance-adjacent stuff is cause it was being made by (PRESUMABLY) white dudes with guitars. Not to say this is bad, it’s pretty pleasant, if not forgettable.

It was ok, a bit nostalgic

Always can look HM for a bit of a throwback feel. Uk for real

Awful

I never listened to the Happy Mondays much, but I really enjoyed the whole progressive thing that came mainly out of Manchester in the late 1980s/early 1990s. It's was a nice next step for new wave and punk. They kinda hit that electronica/dance itch too, especially with some of the remixes. This is an excellent album and you can clearly hear the influence they had on the bands that later fought in the Great Britpop Wars of the 90s and the Early Aughts.

You're twistin' my melon man.

Another English band who wasn't on the radar for 80s and 90s middle America.

Interesting

"This album is my first foray into the British indie-dance-rock genre called ""Madchester"". Pretty much 80s synth and unique indie sounds. Not really my cup of tea, ha ha"

Didn't dig it.

No es mi estilo, pero me parece un buen álbum para tener música de fondo que escuchar. En general, me pareció bastante reiterativo, sin ningún tema que haya llamado realmente mi atención. ↑: Loose Fit ↓: Holiday

Overall vibey and easy to have in the bg

Happy Mondays on a Monday? That's a hell of a way to start de week. 4 stars.

I think I’m not British enough to really get this album but man was it a good time. Fun, dancy, smart and musically very solid but not self-serious at all. Loved it.

Meh. Really don’t believe I needed to hear this before I die.

In the 2+ years since I've started this album project, my taste in music has seen various subtle changes. I've realized that there are things in music that I like more than I thought I did, as well as things that become more apparent as things that I don't want in music. But the more things change, the more they stay the same, and there are plenty of opinions that I first formed in 2023 at the start of the album project that I still agree with now. Despite my music taste changing quite a bit over the past 2 years, I still don't really care for Happy Mondays. Bummed was an early album of the project for me, and it's been a long time since that album. In fact, the wait between me listening to Bummed and now is actually longer than the time between it and this album's release! That's pretty crazy. You know what's not crazy? Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches. Yeah, I wasn't huge on Bummed at all, and while my first impression of this album is more positive, I still don't love this. I will say that my review writing skills have gotten marginally better, and I can more easily point out issues that I have with the albums. For instance, I've realized that I don't really like Shaun Ryder's vocals. They're too mumbly for the music. They don't really work super well together in my opinion. The music itself is definitely better. It's the kind of thing that only could've come from late 80s/early 90s Britain. It's got that Madchester style, but I find it to be less refined than something like The Stone Roses' debut album. There's a bit more of a focus on the dance influence here and it's not my favorite thing ever, but I get the appeal. The writing still isn't my thing, but there are some good moments I can point out like the commentary on "God's Cop." There are some questionable parts of the album, like the rather unnecessary female moaning on "Bob's Yer Uncle." So, yeah. I think Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches is the better of the two Happy Mondays albums I've heard, but it's still not special enough to warrant this band having two albums on the list. I'm not even sure they need one. I'm not 100% opposed to this one being here, but I'm definitely not going to advocate for its inclusion myself. It's okay. Decent 3/5.

This album was a wonderful surprise. It's alternative (right?) but has such groove to it. Reminds me at times of Was (Not Was) and that's a great, fun thing. I could almost round up to 5/5 but let's just call this one of my favorite 4/5 albums so far.

Dance music with an alt rock tilt is a great idea, and the lead singer has some swagger and a political chip on his shoulder. Add a little drugs without the push of the psychedelic bend of the 60s and you get Happy Mondays. Surprisingly refreshing considering the whinier tracks on the album, these guys have a nice groove that makes me want to explore these late 80s/early 90s British bands that seem to channel the angst of the age well.

I really like Bob's Yer Uncle, Loose Fit, and Step On

The proof that you can polish a t*rd. One of the most over-rated bands I have ever heard, spiffed up with shiny production to sound okay. I do quite enjoy some of the tracks here, but that is more down to the various remixers and producers involved than the band themselves. Happy to leave this one back in the time it came from.

This album oscillates up and down, both in mood and on the musical scale. The guitars are so stretched out that it must be impossible to score what is being played on a music sheet. I think that is the least of concerns of the Mondays. It's all about the attitude. Pills, Thrills has bucket loads of front. It swaggers from start to finish. Walk it like you talk it. Not a musical masterpiece, but certainly an album to turn to if you want to puff your chest out.

The album art is horrific. In the most beautifully mesmerising way, of course. And in that way, it kind of represents the music. There's nothing particularly catchy or approachable about the compositions. In fact, there's this crazed cosmic energy about Pills 'N' Thrills And Bellyaches that makes it pretty difficult to approach through a modern lens. This is a record of its time for sure. The singer has an air of "retired punk performer" that was begrudgingly forced into a softer, less sticking-it-to-the-establishment persona. And to his benefit, I think. Another bland, drunken, slurred English delivery of loud silly lyrics on this list (i.e. punk music) might very well end me. Instead, we get something similar, but with more understated and musically interesting instruments to complement it. Take the slow, high, trancelike synths in the first half of God's Cop (and, for that matter, the synths and strings in the second half too – equally great). Never would you see such a spectacle in the rigid confines of 70s British punk, but here it not only sounds pretty good, it works with the singing. But maybe that's just my nostalgic love for Split Enz talking. Unfortunately, Donovan and Grandbag's Funeral are back-to-back examples of this genre *not* working. They're complete flops – not memorable or catchy at all. The music takes a complete left turn in Bob's Yer Uncle, where the vocals are more understated, mysterious, faux-sexy. The instruments, particularly the hand-percussion and acoustic guitar, really shine here. The best track as of yet. Step On is pretty much the same, and I like it just as much. Great piano solo, and a sort of upbeat espionage-movie-montage mood. I'm glad Happy Mondays didn't choose to use this weird mumbled vocal for every track, though, because I know I would hate 40 minutes of this. I'm 50-50 on the album closer Harmony. The outro is pretty cool. And the sudden ending makes the song sound like a happier, poppier I Want You (She's So Heavy). So, all in all... sure. This album (and this band) "set the agenda for much of the best British music of the 90s" (per another reviewer). Yet it's weird and wacky and mildly unapproachable. You have to take both of these into account. The piece 4′33″ (John Cage) is a pretty darn influential piece in the context of musical progress, but you're insane if you think anything other than 1 star is reasonable. Because it's not just the influence, it's the sound, the longevity, the approachability in a modern-day context. All that balances out to an average rating. 3/5 Key tracks: God's Cop, Bob's Yer Uncle, Step On

So HAPPY when I saw this one light up me screen !!!!

Very 90s. It sounds interesting but there's something missing for it to be better. The vocals are alright and the lyrics are also just alright. It's perfectly fine.

Not sure what this is, I feel like I've heard of this band before but don't recognize anything on this album. Not sure why this is on this list. Pretty mediocre music at best. Damn, this album just plain sucks. Did not finish, just wanted to make it go away.

First listen

You can tell the ‘1001 Albums…’ book was written and published in the UK with the amount of generic british pop/rock. It’s boring. Standout Songs: Kinky Afro Dennis And Lois Step On

It's very 90's in a way that I don't like or respect.

Bad

madchester more like badchester

This is a review of the album Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches by Happy Mondays.

Couldn't really get into it

Fun music, but not much stands out

Warum ist dieses Album in dieser Liste?

Not for me.

I don’t know man, but I just can’t see what’s so amazing about this album. Sound like like so many albums of that era… anyways… pass on this one.

I almost don't want to look up more info on this band, because I like what I'm hearing and I kind of just want to keep it at that.

Didn't care for it too much... Grungy video game music vibe, not enough variation for me. Overall 3/10

Melon twisted emphatically.

The Happy Mondays leave behind the heavy reverb that was all over Bummed and go into far-dancier beats on Pills 'n' Thrills. The results can vary from track to track, but what's good is good and what's not passes by without much thought. What I can commend this record for is that I feel like the Happy Mondays have found something that I feel define them directly. The description of Madchester/Baggy is more in line with what I heard on this record. It's not a spectacular record, but my feet does still step on the beat for good reason (6/10, 3/5 on this scale).

Pretty cool album. Kind of the end of 80s pop before rock and alternative squeezed this genre out. I liked several songs here, like Loose Fit, Dennis And Lois, and Step On. There's some cool riffs and grooves sprinkled throughout that kept pulling me in. All in all, pretty solid and above average.

It's fine, kinda just Britpop slop and not in a really stand out way

I wasn't in a mood for any new music today so I went a bit skeptical in this record. Reading that the lyrics were written on opium piqued my interest. The record sails along smoothly. It juggles multiple ideas but it manages to stay coherent. It's dancy, it's dreamy and at times even psychedelic. Most of all it manages to deliver some good tunes. To me the vocal performance fell flat at times but the entertaining lyrics and great melodies made up for it. The best tracks on first listen are "Loose fit", "Bob's Yer Uncle" and "Harmony".

It just sounds the same. This is not bad but I’m missing some energy here. I really liked the last song though.

Нормальный такой ровный.

It's like a bad blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and dance music. Favourite Track(s): Donovan Least Favoruite Track(s): Dennis and Lois

I suppose I've learned that I'm just not that into "Madchester" music.

Ok

It's kind of meh, it's not bad, it's not super spectacular either, just meh.

Well. The Happy Mondays never clicked with me like they should have, being a white guy of a certain age and taste. I was expecting to rate this a 1, with a "what's all the fuss". But this time it was different. A lot more complex and interesting than I'd percieved before. I liked it, didn't love it. Heard a lot of the bands I love in this music than I have before - I knew they were influential , this time I felt it. A gentleman's 3.

Nothing wrong with it but just meh. Very doesn’t belong on a must listen to list. 0 songs added to playlist

Pretty good album, though I don't have much to say about it.

This was...interesting. For now I have to give this 3 stars (and far too many drug references) but it wasn't bad. I found that this kind of just faded into the background rather than jump out at me in any way, but was not atmospheric enough in any way to go on a chill playlist. 3/5

pretty dancy

There were parts of this album that were a bit on the cringy side, but overall the vibe is good even if the album might be a song or two too long. Maybe a 3.5 for me?

It was an ok album, I didn’t hate it.

lowkenuinely fire

I like the musicianship, just wish it had something to say

Kinda loved it

Ook wel groovyyyy. Heb hem helemaal afgeluisterd tijdens het rolluik schoonmaken en no complaints 😌 dus denk weer 4 ster??

It's a neat album but I want more out of it.

Baggy. Such a unique and interesting movement. It sounds so free with it genre-boundary defying mix of rock and dance music. It's psychedelic and energetic, and of course everyone involved is drugged out of their mind, as is usually in these kinds of things. This may not be the best of its genre, despite being a good one, but it is a great representation of it. There's even a song called "Loose Fit" for crying out loud. Too bad Baggy fell apart really quickly, it didn't even make it past the early 90's. Key tracks: Kinky Afro God's Cop Step On

Some great songs on this, really sums up the 90s baggy movement. The other tracks are ok, overall not a bad album.

Happy Mäntig mitenand (aka happy Dunnstig) Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches isch ja es absolut grossartigs Motto für s Festli morn. Hoffentlich ohne de Bellyaches aber wenns mit Pills 'n' Thrills chund nimmis sust. ufjedefall hets mi happy gstumme wie de Fritig morn. Let's Pill and let's Thrill und 4 Aspirin dezue gern

Kills n chills ‚n‘ oke album aber hed mi au nöd wegblase 3 happy thursdays vu minere siete

a 5.5./10 best parts are when there is no singing involved(applicable to the beginning of the album, the later tracks are much better). The guitar riffs and production are much better and actually enjoyable then. I also don't speak British, that's a problem also Highlights: Dennis and Lois, Loose Fit, Step On, Kinky Afro(for the intro line tbh)

Entirely forgettable except for Bob's Yer Uncle but that's memorable for the wrong reasons.

As my introduction to baggy this album was an ultimately forgettable experience. The instrumentals are pleasant enough (but nothing more) while the vocals are lackluster, and there’s just nothing exciting about it.

It has good riffs, but I found it a bit boring. "God's Cop" was my favorite track.

This should be something that I love, but taken as a whole I found it very same-sounding, like the whole thing is just one mid tempo hang. With its specific lyrical expressions and general laid back vibe it feels very specific to its place and time. I have a tolerance for corny ass cracker ass music (I love Ariel Pink and The 1975), but this really sounded like muzak after a bit. Maybe I can come to enjoy it more.

The sound may be influential and new for the time. The songs are mostly boring, though. Not one of the better examples of brit pop.

I feel like this album isn't mixed all that well and the music's generally really not that interesting. Not bad but there's nothing here that would motivate me to relisten.

Kind of a fun album. Not bad

A fun, exciting, expansive album showing that cross over between guitar and beats. Shaun Ryders lyrics are funny, poignant making him a very underrated writer. Still relevant and has not dated.

An album made to dance to. I remember seeing these on the 30th anniversary tour when I was in my adolescence, and even though it was a shite performance I was still so excited to be drunk and listening to the Happy Mondays. This album is 100% their best, I might go even further and suggest it’s their only good album too. Happy Mondays were always about their vibe more than the actual music. Being at the forefront of the MADchester movement and having a lot of involvement with the hacienda and of course substance abuse, one of their most known band members literally plays the maracas and dances. That being said, this album is definitely the best display of musical abilities that the Mondays put out. It has iconic riffs, catchy lyrics, smooth funky bass lines & the same piano tones which made so much of the hacienda music popular. Bonus points for the album name & design. Favourite songs are: ‘Kinky Afro’, ‘God’s Cop’, ‘Donovon’, ‘Grandbags Funeral’, ‘Loose Fit’, ‘Dennis And Lois’, and of course ‘Step On’.

3.8

Y'know this actually wasn't as bad as I initially though based on that god awful album title, but it also wasn't really that good either. Couple of stand outs

Listening to this on a Friday, ironically enough. I'm still not sure what Madchester is supposed to be, really. It all sounds OK to me; a little dance-y, but still sort of alt rock at its core. Wasn't necessarily jumping out of my seat, but a fine enough listen.

Mondays cool but too many

Rock

90’s techno pop

Best Song: Kinky Afro On a plus side, this is better than Bummed. That being said, this isn't anything I really enjoy. Some tracks are better than others on here but overall this misses the mark. 3/5.

It's like if Oasis and Primal Scream had a really boring baby

call me crazy but this is just fabulous

kinda psychedelic, rock, indie songs? I'd probably give it a 2, i have to be in a specific mood to listen to it

Sonically similar to a mid table, nil-nil, premier league, draw.

Never listened to the Happy Mondays before. Not everything stuck but I found myself tapping along to most while doing a budget. Great start to the album and I realise it had more musicality, and Shaun Ryder had a better voice, than I gave them credit for.

I know a few of these from various nights out. And they're the sort of track I enjoy remembering, but don't necessarily enjoying sitting through. The rhythms are fun and the bass lines are pretty good. The guitars go from cool riff to annoyingly abrasive. The vocals are fairly ropey, but there are times where the production fits it perfectly. One of the remixes of step on came on as an extra track and instantly the mix is nicer to listen to, that is clearly the one most places play. I dunno, I want to like it more than I do. I think I prefer black grape.

Kinda wanted to hate this album, but in the end ended up liking it. The bass sounded pretty damn good, and half of the songs were very fun

Nothing exceptional but a pleasant happy Tuesday spent listening to this album previously unknown to me. 3/5 13/5/25

Nothing particularly interesting going on here. Not terrible, but I won't come back to it.

The first two tracks have great energy and brightness, and for some reason Bob’s Yer Uncle seemed standout for me.

One banger, the rest is dated

I kept waiting to get my melon twisted, could hear the buildup to that track on the others but they all seemed a little flat to me. I was spoiled by the overplaying of that one from my youth I guess.

The Mondays were massively important to the whole Baggy / Madchester thing in the late 80s / early 90s. However, they were also massively over-rated. It’s not awful, but it is structurally very simple verse-chorus stuff, Shaun Ryder is a terrible vocalist, and it is over saturated in the happy-house type of piano vibe. Yes, it gives me huge nostalgia for my uni days (I will still to this day say “ccccaaalllll the copshhhh!” any time I hear sirens) and the singles are good for what they are, but as an album … yeah, okay, whatever.

A riotous slice of Madchester swagger. Funky basslines, loose grooves, and Shaun Ryder’s cheeky drawl make this album impossible to sit still to. It’s messy, colorful, and dripping with hedonism—like a night out that never ends. Pure fun, pure movement

Not really my cup of tea. I’d probably be nostalgic if I was in Manchester in the 90s I guess.

Kinda fun. Not that many hit tracks. Liked kinky Afro and loose fit, checked their top Spotify songs and those were the top tracks off the album go figure. Turns out I agree with public opinion here

I went into this one blind and was plesantly surprised - have heard a few of these songs before, and cool to hear what I'm guessing is a precursor to Brit Pop. I hear Oasis in the vocals, maybe just the accent, or Liam was inspired by Happy Monday. This might become a 5 for me long term, for now its a strong 4.

Pretty much all the songs were really repetitive, and therefore, boring to me. The flute on Bob's your uncle belonged in a bit on a sketch comedy show. There were cringe inducing lyrics throughout. I really didn't like anything about this one. Solid 1

awesome

I really loved it! Full of a mix of sounds and very rhythmic 7/1/26

Not too good and not too bad. Can't really say much after that.

Fun but not a very ground breaking or standout album to me

Ive never rated the Mondays as i've always thought of them as a vibes and drugs band. This album seems to be the reason they were lauded as it comes with some quality and loads of potential, but is still baggy and in need of discipline.

Gear: ZMF Bokeh Closed Artwork: 🖍️👁️🤯 Production (2007 Remaster): 📈👂😖 Music: 🎶🥠🤷‍♂️ Rating:💊💊/5

Takovy hrozne obyc, nezapamatovatelny, ale fajn.

ho ascoltato solo le prime ma sembrava carino

So fucking good

This was fun. It is a solid soundtrack while I was studying. It doesn't ask alot of me and I'm happy with that. It is a fusion of indie and dance and for the most part, it works well. The highlight for me was Step On

Bastante guay, bastante buena onda, me mola su rollo. Me gusta que esto me esté haciendo descubrir grupos que no me habrían saltado a la vista de otra manera. Hace que tenga imágenes menos caricaturizadas de las décadas pasadas y HA ENTRADO UNA FLAUTA. Ha entrado una flauta en Bob’s Yer Uncle y me acaba de hacer una gracia tremenda discazo. Nunca había escuchado nada de la escena Madchester y con esto del baggy para mí es como si se hubiesen inventado un género en rym pero ey no me quejo que está guay. Medio rock, medio dance, medio hip hop, bastante chill, bastante divertido.

Nice but whatever

Fun madchester sounds, I dig it

Was really surprised by this one. Great beat throughout this album. Really enjoyed it. Solid 4.

damn i dont care. merry christmas though

Kinda good. Doesn’t feel very cohesive tho.

No le encontré mucho gusto al disco, se me hizo algo olvidable. No era lo mío.

90's British Spoon? Way too many jangly 90's Brits on this list. This one was better than I thought tho.

Supremely missable

Decent.

Great Songs: Step On Good Songs: Kinky Afro, God's Cop, Loose Fit, Dennis and Lois, Bob's Yer Uncle, Holiday, Harmony Mid Songs: Donovan, Grandbag's Funeral Bad Songs:

Long before I met him, my father in law sold jeans on the market at the Arndale in Manchester. He sold a type of jean that embodied the Loose Fit style of the time, and jeans that were hard to find elsewhere, which ultimately attracted a bunch of lads that he would later go on to manage, and get signed to Factory Records, landing him the job as their head of A&R. The band were of course the Happy Mondays. I often think of the Happy Mondays as being at the centre of the Madchester scene, they certainly put the “mad” into it. They didn’t appear to have the same skill and credibility of some of their contemporaries such as New Order or Stone Roses, however, they provided a sound which leaned heavily into the rave scene that would encapsulate the early 90s, but more than anything, they were a lot of fun.

Listening to Happy Mondays always gives me this weird false sense of nostalgia, like I’m longing for a time and place I wasn’t actually around for. But they really do capture a unique moment in British music history. They had a smooth blend of indie rock mixed with acid house, and their whole vibe was aimed for the dance floor, but done within the framework of an actual band instead of a DJ or producer. The album’s production was handled by Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne, and both played a big role in shaping the sound. Paul Oakenfold bringing in the club elements while Steve Osborne handled the rest of the production. It’s also worth noting that this was one of the first albums Steve Osborne was credited for producing.

uneventful

You’re telling me this Baggy album has a song called Loose Fit? I forgot I already listened to an album from them through this list also

tryin to get into this guys psychology where he thinks i gotta listen to two happy mondays albums before i die...? anyways was shocked to learn this album was produced by Paul Oakenfold that is honestly a bit too random

This music was just ok. I finally recognized one of their songs after going through a few of them, and it was pretty good.

This was really good. Good music, different and unique.

Wow. Every once in awhile they send me an album that gets me by surprise. I had never heard of these guys before but every song on here is a banger. The first three songs, Kinky Afro, God's Cop and Donovan are my favorite. I can't even tell you what genre this is. It's kind of like Elvis Costello meets the Byrds.

This was an ok album, nothing too crazy lol but decent

Veel remasters, goed voor easy listenings/road trips

music

Is niet helemaal mijn soort muziek

Donovan is fire

I can hear the influence on later Britpop acts like Blur. Loved some tracks, especially the combination of danceable beats and quirky guitar riffs, but there's quite some filler on this too. Faves: God's Cop, Step On

Such a vibe! Enjoyed the whole ride.

Happy Mondays is like an eternal shade of shameless hedonism. I payed attention to their music like 10 years ago. I was going through a rough period of my life. Did not know what the future held for me or if I was able to bare it. Then, these songs came to me. Bez looked like a guy who couldn’t care less. His ethos was bananas - playing the tambourine and dancing like there’s no tomorrow. That shit clicked. Not saying that I put responsibilities aside and let myself go as a slave to drugs and beats. It was the idea that there was another way to live your life what kept me going. Only thinking there’s another way - although you don’t take it- makes you free. So that’s it, this album made me feel a little more alive. Thanks you guys!

Yeah this was alright. Hade some energy and some of the remixes were pretty cool. It grew on me as it went along. 3.5 but on the three side.

A fun dance album with some good beats and rhythms. Not my cup of tea, but not bad.

third rate cover band. Their Step On video has pissed me off for years (decades now) for being so uninspiring and lazily plopped together. Compared relatively to the effort the Party Boys and Chantoozies put in, Happy Mondays are a sad Sunday.

So much Brit-rock. I'm sure this means something to the folks over there, but my American brain can't connect to this. I do hear some different influences in this. It's not just another early '90's alternative sound. There's some '90's "dance-y" vibes in there. There's alternative rock and sounds that remind me of some of the later techno groups like Moby or Fat Boy Slim. The production quality was good too. All that said, the lyrics and melodies don't do anything for me. This sounds like backing tracks for a mid '90's dramedy; like a closing credits song, but not at the beginning of the credits, one later on when everyone has left the theater. Also, can someone please explain the etymology of the term "Bob's your uncle"?

77/100. A very enjoyable listen. Might be my first real exposure to the “baggy” sound, and I liked it. The blend of psychedelic rock and dance grooves really works.

This does have one of the greatest opening lines of any album, and the peaks (Kinky Afro, God's Cop, Step On) are fantastic time capsule moments. I don't think it holds together as an album, especially with the added remixes at the end, but it's a solid, fun, funky listen. High 3/low 4, just stretchkng into 4 territory for me.

Another 90’s British record that probably was meaningful in some way in England but never really caught on here. There are a few records from the Manchester scene that I like but these guys don’t do it for me at all

Shit

Every song sounds the same

I enjoyed this album more than Bummed. But the bar was still low Fine as background music, but I did enjoy Step On 3 ⭐️

good as background music but not to actively listen to

Had never heard of this before but it was pretty good.

The second half of this album is exceptional Harmony is outstanding, Bob's Your Uncle is so good.

Pills 'n' Thrills And Rockin' Good Times

Never heard of them ... not bad! I will have to check out some more of their tunes.

Not bad, but not remarkable, either. Another one where I'm confused by it being an "essential."

This feels like it's trying to be weird just for the sake of being weird. When it's not doing that it's just a big snooze-fest. Starting to resent the large amount of lackluster garbage on this list that's there just because it was made by Brits. This is entirely forgettable.

Dunno why this mid-rate British 80s new wave band was on here. The album title was good. Nothing memorable on here, would not revisit.

=The Beatles Goes on too long

When you ask mom for Moby and she says “we have Moby at home”

It was alright. I don't really like Britpop and this singer's style particularly much.

**In-Depth Review: Happy Mondays – *Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches* (1990)** *Label: Factory Records | Producers: Paul Oakenfold & Steve Osborne* --- ### 🎶 **Overview** Released in November 1990, *Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches* is the third studio album by Happy Mondays and the definitive document of the “Madchester” moment. It fused indie rock, funk, house, and psychedelia into a hedonistic, sample-heavy kaleidoscope that sound-tracked the ecstasy-fuelled Second Summer of Love. Reaching #4 in the UK charts and going platinum, it is often cited as the creative and commercial peak of the baggy era. --- ### 🖋️ **Lyrics: Slang, Scraps & Street Poetry** Shaun Ryder’s lyrics are a stream-of-consciousness collage of Manchester slang, drug references, pop-culture detritus and half-remembered hooks from other songs. He treats words as rhythm instruments rather than narrative tools: - **“Kinky Afro”** opens with the immortal couplet *“Son, I’m 30 / I only went with your mother ’cos she’s dirty”* – simultaneously hilarious, shocking and autobiographical. - **“Loose Fit”** turns a fashion slogan into a life philosophy: *“Loose fit / I don’t give a shit”*; the lyric mirrors the baggy clothing ethos of the scene—baggy sonically and spiritually. - **“Step On”** re-writes John Kongos’ 1971 hit into a narcotic anthem, ad-libbing *“You’re twisting my melon, man!”*—a line that became Madchester’s catch-cry. Ryder’s genius is in **re-contextualising** found phrases, adverts, playground chants and soul refrains, stitching them into something that feels both accidental and profound. Tony Wilson’s oft-quoted line that Ryder is *“on a par with W. B. Yeats”* is hyperbolic, yet captures how the vernacular poetry captured a generation’s chemical optimism. --- ### 🎸 **Music: Indie + House = Baggy Bliss** Musically the album is a DJ’s crate-digging session rendered by a five-piece rock band: - **Grooves first**: Drummer Gary Whelan and bassist Paul Ryder recorded rhythm tracks live, then **looped sections** in the style of club 12-inches; overdubs were treated like samples. - **Guitar grit**: Mark Day’s spiky, wah-treated riffs (**“God’s Cop”**, **“Holiday”**) add abrasive top-end to the rubbery low-end, preventing the record from sliding into bland chill-out. - **Piano house euphoria**: Major-key stabs (à la Italo-house) power **“Step On”** and **“Kinky Afro”**, linking the Haçienda’s dance-floor to indie guitar crowds. - **Soulful lift**: Rowetta’s gospel backing vocals elevate hooks from laddish chant to communal celebration. The result is a **seamless 45-min DJ mix** disguised as an indie album; tempos ebb and flow like a club night moving from warm-up to peak-time to comedown. --- ### 🎛️ **Production: Oakenfold & Osborne’s Club Expertise** Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne were superstar DJs, not traditional rock producers. They approached the project like a **remix session**: - Extensive use of **Akai S1000** sampling, filtering and looping. - Guitar and keyboard parts **chopped & repositioned** to create hook-based arrangements rather than verse/chorus structures. - **Ambient margins**: Reverb-soaked bleeps, crowd noise and found sound (**“Harmony”**) give the record a 3-D headphone space that rewards both home listening and large sound-systems. The duo’s club know-how **curated the chaos**, turning the Mondays’ druggy jams into a coherent journey that climaxes with the ecstatic rush of **“Step On”** and dissolves into the Velvet-Underground lullaby of **“Harmony”**. --- ### 🧠 **Themes: Hedonism, Class & Chemical Communion** 1. **Chemical Optimism**: Every track assumes the listener is either on, coming up on, or reminiscing about ecstasy. The lyrics don’t moralise; they document the fleeting sensation that *“everything’s gonna be alright”*. 2. **Working-Class Escapism**: Ryder’s tales of petty scams, dodgy dealers and sexual mishaps are rooted in Salford estates; the music offers a **carnival release** from that reality. 3. **Fashion as Philosophy**: *“Loose Fit”* and *“Kinky Afro”* equate clothing with mental space—baggy equals freedom, afro equals unruly identity. 4. **Pop-Culture Magpie-ism**: Lifting from Kongos, The New Seekers, Hot Chocolate, Labelle, James Brown—reflecting how rave culture itself **sampled history** to create futurist thrills. --- ### 🌐 **Influence & Legacy** - **Immediate**: Helped push British indie toward dance, paving the way for Primal Scream’s *Screamadelica* (1991), The Prodigy’s indie crossover and eventually Britpop’s rhythm-awareness. - **Long-term**: You can hear its DNA in 2000s dance-punk (LCD Soundsystem, The Rapture), 2010s psych revival (Tame Impala’s groove-centric tracks) and even mainstream pop’s embrace of four-to-the-floor kicks. - **Fashion**: The album cover’s candy-wrapper collage (shot by photographer Paul Slattery and designer Central Station) predicted hyper-colour 90s design and still influences street-wear graphics. - **Cultural**: Cemented Factory Records’ mythos right before its financial collapse; the LP is a time-capsule of the last moment when indie bands could go platinum while referencing narcotics on every chorus. --- ### ✅ **Pros** - Infectious **groove-led songwriting**—every track doubles as indie single and club tool. - **Innovative production**: One of the first rock albums to treat the studio like a DJ booth. - Ryder’s **lyrical collage**—funny, quotable, weirdly profound. - **Rowetta’s vocals** add soulful euphoria, lifting tracks from laddish to universal. - **Cohesive flow**: Plays like a night out, from anticipation to bliss to comedown. - Still **sounds fresh** on modern dance-floors; crate-diggers continue to sample it. --- ### ❌ **Cons** - **Inconsistent deeper cuts**: Tracks like **“Holiday”** and **“Bob’s Yer Uncle”** feel like groove exercises rather than fully formed songs. - **Ryder’s delivery** can grate—slurred, off-beat, occasionally unintelligible; non-Mancunian listeners may need lyric sheets. - **Drug references** border on repetitive; if you’re sober or uninterested in rave culture, the thematic palette is narrow. - **Light on musical virtuosity**: Players serve the groove, so don’t expect jaw-dropping solos or harmonic complexity. - **Album tails off**: Final third loses the killer hooks that make the first half so addictive. --- ### ⚖️ **Verdict** *Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches* is neither flawless nor especially expansive, yet it remains **the most successful and enjoyable fusion of indie rock and acid-house** ever committed to wax. Its grooves are undeniable, its attitude infectious, and its snapshot of a cultural moment unparalleled. More than three decades on, the record still **twists melons**—whether you’re shaking maracas like Bez or simply craving a colourful, escapist 45 minutes. **Score: 9/10** – A baggy masterpiece whose highs outweigh the occasional loose fit. --- ### 🔊 **Key Tracks** 1. **Step On** – euphoric indie-house anthem 2. **Kinky Afro** – slinky funk with killer chorus 3. **Loose Fit** – psychedelic strut, fashion manifesto 4. **God’s Cop** – widescreen paranoia, cinematic guitars 5. **Harmony** – velvet-lined comedown, perfect closer

I had never heard of this band before and this was a fun album.

Enjoyable funky pop rock

Seemed fine, especially if dance-pop-rock is your thing. At certain points it gave me the Pixies vibes, at other times Blur. A few tracks were almost disco-esque. Some of the songs were pretty catchy and fun. Most of it was bland, though. I don't have anything overly negative or positive to point to. I just didn't really find it that interesting as a full album. I'd say it was OK, but I don't think it's something I would seek out to listen to again. Overall: 2.4/5

I'm digging this, probably a 3.5/5 for me.

I can’t remember how I felt about their other record that I got on here. This one is okay, but not anything I’m likely to revisit.

Not awful, but will not go out of my way to listen again

Quite better than Bummed. Every track sounds good, and is enjoyable though not memorable. Again reminds me of Talking Heads 3.9

This is an odd one. My rating before re listening would have been a bit higher. Very good memories of the album. But, not sure it aged well for me.

Komplett langweilig.

Starker Start, lässt dann im Verlauf etwas nach.

Schöne Fusion von Indie und Breakbeat-Elementen. Krass, wie anders Shaun Ryders' Stimme im Vergleich zu Gorillaz' "DARE" klingt.

Weiß nicht. Ist schon abwechslungsreich, kommt bei mir aber nicht an.

Das Ding hat mich nicht nur nicht gekriegt, es hat mich sehr genervt. Klang für mich wie Talking Heads aber weniger gut und die haben mich ja auch schon nicht gekriegt. Naja der Lauf der letzten Tage war auch zu gut

Well, this does sound ahead of its time. That doesn't make it a masterpiece or anything close to it, but it still is a good record. I'm glad I listened to it before I died.

The music of my youth - thoroughly enjoyable. Anyone who doesn't enjoy "Step On" is clearly under the influence ... or maybe the other way round

Absolutely fantastic, brings back many good memories

"One of the most influencial groups of the 90s"... Never heard a song, never heard about the band, never heard anyone mention them. So i think that's a bit of a stretch to have in their bio. Don't get me wrong, it is pretty good and sounds like it might have hade a influence on the british sound of the 90s-00s like Oasis and such.

It was okay. Shaun Ryder’s vocals had more range than some of the other Britpop singers on this list. Enjoyed “Step On” and it made seek out the original John Kongos song.

Alt rock album with strong dance influences. I liked how funky some of the songs are, with Dennis and Lois and Step On being the highlights for me. But the rest of the album didn't really click with me.

This is great stuff. I really enjoy the mood of the whole album. "Kinky Afro" is just superb. "Step On" is also great - even though I now see it's a cover.

One of the albums that captured the zeitgeist of the Madchester scene. Some great tracks on here which are probably more accessible than previous albums. Not my personal favourite but I enjoyed revisiting this album

This was fine - nothing special in my books but still an alright listen. I don’t quite understand why it’s so critical I listen to this album before I die but it’s not been the most egregious entry on this list. Solid 2.5 stars for me.

It's hedonistic pop rock, it's fine general and great in small doses. I kind of like the remixed tracks better than the original versions.

Will need to give another listen. A good rock album.

Apparently Shaun, the vocalist, wrote most of the lyrics while high on opium in his apartment. Which just makes sense

nothing

You're twistin' my melon, man! Happy Mondays, I think capture the feeling of the whole Madchester scene 90s acid house, rave culture, and the raw energy of a night out. Being so intrinsically linked with the Hacienda, their sound completely embodies the party atmosphere of taking drugs, raving, and having a good time. They're a completely different sound to the Stone Roses, who are a bit more psychedelic. Shaun Ryder's vocals mumbly and all over the place in contrast with Ian Brown's monotone drawl. The music feels a bit looser and freer. Its a brilliant album that provides a perfect snapshot of Manchester nightlife during the late 80s and early 90s, as well as the Hacienda sound. Also special mention to Bez for being chief vibe master

I thought I liked it at first, then I realised I didn't.

Not sure why this is tolerable for me. I usually don't like this.

Well that is very Madchester. It was my first time listening to Happy Mondays and I enjoyed it. It is very much of its time and I can see why The Stone Roses were put beside them in the movement. It's a good album but can get tiring towards the end. 3/5

Creative, funky post-punk, alt. rock, psychedelia, dance. I think I might have seen the name of this group before but I hadn't heard any of their songs until now. I really enjoy bands in the realm of the Madchester & Baggy scenes. I think this is just as good as the Stone Roses' debut. Happy to add this to my library.

I was always a big Stone Roses fan and due to misplaced tribalism never really listened to the Happy Mondays. I know the big tracks very well and they have a great groove. The album tracks a bit more of a mixed bag and I am on the fence about Shaun Ryder. You can hear the strong Andy Wetherall influence in the mix. Not quite a 5 for me.

Class. Strong enough to generate a 'genre' of music. Now go watch 24-Hour Party People.

Listening to Happy Mondays always gives me this weird false sense of nostalgia, like I’m longing for a time and place I wasn’t actually around for. But they really do capture a unique moment in British music history. They had a smooth blend of indie rock mixed with acid house, and their whole vibe was aimed for the dance floor, but done within the framework of an actual band instead of a DJ or producer. The album’s production was handled by Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne, and both played a big role in shaping the sound. Paul Oakenfold bringing in the club elements while Steve Osborne handled the rest of the production. It’s also worth noting that this was one of the first albums Steve Osborne was credited for producing.

Took me about halfway through before I started vibing with this album. It’s pretty good once I was on its wavelength. But I still have no clue what defines Madchester music. Is it just kind of scuzzy britpop? Who knows

It’s not a totally average rock album but it’s pretty damn close. Lots of using some mixed synth as a crutch instead of having anything genuinely interesting or unique. Not bad, not inspired either though.

Muzak

Still maintain this is not as good as the britpop that followed but cool to hear the predecessor.

Fun silly Manchester in the late eighties

I was nervous about this one. First album by someone I had never heard of. Then I saw Paul Oakenfold mentioned and I thought, ok, let's give this a chance. I actually really enjoyed this album. It's fun, fresh, and catchy.

dachte erst oh großer name nicht osasis aber sicher ganz gut, so lala ok bissi dance drin vieleicht so wie yamirokwai wie hiess der? wohlfühl Lounge sound mit minimal edge...c

This album is right up my alley I really enjoyed it

Second half of the album > first half of the album

Did not click with me.

This "list" goes downhill a little everyday huh?

The most mellon twisting album of the 90s - at once ecstatic and miserable in a uniquely Mancunian mode. Sprawling dance rock that's wild, ecclectic, hedonistic: a triumph of the pure desire to have a good time over the necessity of talent. Fun remixes too.

Happy Mondays seem like the British version of RHCP: solid band, nauseating frontman.

I wanna listen to more Madchester music. Favorite track: Kinky Afro 3.5/5

Something about this guy's voice just annoys me. Like it made me unreasonably angry listening to this album - so weird. I would like this a lot more without the vocals, but as it is, it's pretty forgettable.

Kind of had low expectations because I did not care for Bummed which came up previously, but this was much better in my opinion. This album set a pretty good groove and kept it up right until the next thing I knew, the album was over. While the tracks seemed to be mostly indistinguishable for me, I would listen again.

Surprisingly modern sounding for being released in 1990. Pretty good vibes throughout.

This was decent. By the end I was ready to move on, but it might have been long due to CD era.

Sounds like the soundtrack to a niche 90s black comedy film about a retired detective turn divorced bisexual yoga instructor who starts every day by downing a wheatgrass shooter and cleaning their gun.

I was willing to give this 2 stars, figuring that there was some good reason why it was a thing back in 1990. Even after Bob's Yer Uncle which is a truly horrible song, I was willing to give the album a full and fair listen. But after that it was yet another song with a single unchanging drum pattern for 5 fucking minutes and it really pissed me off. The hi hat just started feeling like an ice pick in my ears and I was done. One star. Playlisted: Loose Fit, Grandbag's Funeral, Kinky Afro.

There were a lot of things going on with these songs that made me really want to like them, but I found myself forgetting to listen all day, so I guess there wasn't enough.

I was surprised to see how beloved this album is in some quarters. I wasn't familiar with it at all. Alas, it was... what's the word I'm searching for... annoying. It was kind of annoying.

Kind of fun. Not iconic by a long shot. Almost gave it a four.

That beat and tempo was *everywhere* back in the day, and it permeates this album, making it all sound like one long drug-soaked song. Kinda boring when you're straight.

Its okayyyy. Nežinau. Kažkaip nepaliko jokio įspūdžio.

A punk band tries to do Eurodance. Sounds like the worst of both worlds.

Happy Mondays. Love the band name. Music had a bit of a funk. Enjoyed the groove of the music, the weird song topics, and the overall listen. No real standout songs, I believe this album made the 1001 Must Hear List because of Bob’s Yer Uncle. Loose Fit is top cut. (2.8*s) Sounds good to me…

Pills 'n' Thrills is a cheeky album and certainly has that cheesy 90s sound. "Step On" is top track with not much else really doing much. Was surprised to see the electronica legend Paul Oakenfold on the arrangements. Worked alright on a Monday morning drive into work. Did I need this before I died...no but it wasn't bad...2.23 stars.

At times I was really enjoying this. At times it was nothing more than background noise. At times the mancunian lyrics and over production was working. At other times I wanted to tune out. Hard to nail down Pills 'n' Thrills so I guess it comes out somewhere in the middle. There's plenty worse on this list but also plenty of more interesting albums as well. I have a lot of endearment for Paul Oakenfold and Shaun Ryder so I probably enjoyed this a little more than it deserved. 2.44 stars

Интересно и бесяче, порой одновременно. Лучшая песня - Step On.

This did not fall right on my ears.

Fav tracks: Kinky Afro, Step on, Harmony

Back to back dog shit 🥵

The music is pretty solid but the vocals drag it down a notch for me. Probably could be a solid B with better vocals. Yeah, the music was alright but overall it's pretty middling for me.

Always found them a bit overrated. Great in parts - Kinky Afro is amazing, Loose Fit is not far behind - but he really cannot sing whatsoever.

12/1001 First listen. Have never heard Happy Mondays before. I gave it three plays. This one isn’t going to grow on me. I don’t think I needed to hear this.

As a huge fan of Madchester and Brit Pop, I've been intimately familiar with these guys for 35 years. They still don't land as hard as I think they should.

It was probably a pretty fresh and new sound for its time and I appreciate that even if the songs get somewhere between annoying and repetitive

Just not a fan

Never heard of these guys so had no clue what I was in for. Didn’t have high hopes going in, but I actually liked it overall. I listened to it twice, with the exception of the remix songs at the end which weren’t great, to get a better feel for the music. It’s hard to put your finger on the genre; Wikipedia labels it predominantly “Madchester”, defined as a blend of indie rock with elements of acid house, psychedelia, and 1960s pop. But it also has an 80’s synth vibe on some of the songs and a little funk on some tracks as well. I would check out some other stuff by them based on this album. Favorites: Kinky Afro, Gods cop, Loose fit, Dennis and Lois, and Step On (the non-remix versions).