Rip It Up
Orange Juice
1982
Album Summary
Rip It Up is the second album released by Scottish post-punk band Orange Juice. It was released in 1982. This album contains their hit song of the same name, which reached the Top 10. The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
WikipediaThis nonsense is so damn early 80s it makes my soul hurt. Bloopy synths, saxophone solos, and overly-stylized, Devo vocals are utterly cringeworthy. The lyrics are also mostly vapid. The second track is a bit of an outlier in that regard. I can hear shades of Sex Pistols here but like, if Sex Pistols had an older brother who thought he was super cool, had Flock of Seagul hair, and wore giant shades and lots of cheap cologne. The album is a mess, honestly. It can't decide what genre it is which, in many ways, embodies music in the early 80s. I gotta say, I'm not a fan at all.
love the sonic cohesiveness of this record. makes me feel like i am in a different time. or having a calm, slow sunday.
Scottish indie is separated from both other British indie and other Scottish art by its whimsy, its gentility and its poppiness. Whereas indie from the rest of the British Isles dabbles with sweetness and light, it doesn't supress its tendencies to morosity and rock for long. And if Scottish literature has one distinctive theme, it's guilt, be it personal, communal or ancestral: from Macbeth quaking before the visage of a dagger (even though Shakespeare was English) through various justified sinners and Jekylls and Hydes, to Renton and his pals' quest for oblivion, the Scottish protagonist never ceases to loathe themselves for the crime of simply being alive and Scottish. Scottish indie, however, has embraced both warmth and humour, and frequently sought pointers from straight-up pop. Look at The Jesus and Mary Chain incorporating girl-group melodies within their wall of noise, the enshrining of jangly guitars with the Scottish C86 bands, Teenage Fanclub's championing of Big Star and the Beach Boys, Belle & Sebastian dismissing grunge with an effete handwave, and Franz Ferdinand declaring that they wanted to make music for girls to dance to. If you're looking for a group that established this Scottish lighthearted, openhearted ethos, the one that makes most sense is Orange Juice. Orange Juice were your standard art-school band formed in the wake of punk. However, they reacted against the perceived dourness and melancholy of many post-punk bands (making them post-post-punk?) whilst retaining the movement's heterogenity and intelligence. The provocative wannabe impresario Alan Horne founded Postcard Records as a vehicle for Orange Juice and (the much more angst-ridden) Josef K; the tagline for Postcard Records was "The Sound of Young Scotland", an affectionate distortion of Motown's "The Sound of Young America", and as clear an indicator as any of Orange Juice's embrace of effervescence. Also note that Orange Juice were one of the most clean-cut, well-behaved bands of the time, eschewing alcohol (hence the bandname) and most drugs (though sometimes partaking in the mod/punk staple of amphetamine, funnily enough). With this, their second album, the line-up had changed substantially, after leader Edwyn Collins left the original drummer and guitarist. (the next drummer, Zeke Manila, was Zimbabwean, and two of the songs are sung in Shona). With this new line-up, Orange Juice hurtled in an even poppier direction, overtly referencing the Four Tops and, in the common post-punk ambition, marrying the Buzzcocks with Chic. And I like it a lot. The title song not only gave us the definitive post-punk slogan, but also provided one of the wryest takes on unrequited desire in the indie canon. Edwyn Collins proves himself one of the great articulators of adolescent hesitancy, turning wimpiness into, if not quite an admirable trait, then a charming, completely human feature of the everyteen (it's only a shuffle from Edwyn's croon to Morrissey's yodelling). Wonderful moments stud the album, such as the innocent piano motif on Flesh of My Flesh, which is then taken up by the saxophone (yes, saxophone). That said, the album warrants those two dread phrases, "rewards repeated listenings" and "the whole is greater thann the sum of its parts". Initially, you may well find the deliberate smoothness ungripping, and certain songs may seem disposable. But if you find the aesthetic intriguing and perhaps a little racy in its own way, then some Orange Juice should slip down satisfyingly. Orange Juice, like so many Scottish indie bands, provide Scotland with its much-needed sunlight and vitamin C.
Loved this. It does sag a little in the middle, but I adore the sonics of the album, the wonderful singing, the incorporation of funk into some of the tracks. Post-punk in general is hitting the sweet spot for me as it strikes me that so many of its participants were striving to make a pop sound that didn't patronise its listeners. You can be experimental, sophisticated and still catchy as hell. File this alongside bands like Monochrome Set.
Like a nice walk in a nice city with familiar traffic noises and the murmur of outdoor cafes. In the middle of all this is the band and sometimes I think that they listened a lot to Talking Heads.
At first it was okay for me but this thing fucking bops. Been listening nonstop to it
This album started out really good, but it feels a bit samey by the end. Overall I think that it's worth a listen, hence 4 stars, but it's definitely on the low end of 4 stars for me. There are a lot of hidden gems in the postpunk genre, and I think this is one of them
Scottish New Wave Funk from the 80s is an unholy combination on paper, so I was surprised to find several tracks on this album that were not just listenable, but enjoyable. I never would have picked this album up in a million years. Best track: Louise Louise
Very 80s and strong talking head vibes. Some late Clash sounds on there with almost a reggae feel
Le doy su merecido 5 a este album lo quiero mucho esos solos jijooomano
Fresh squeezed juice right here. This was super cool, I absolutely loved it. Feels like it was the start of something new.
Seamless transitions Reminds me of Sing Street (it has a certain kind of umph to it) It has great instrumentation and vocals
This is brilliant. Edwyn Collins in fine voice, lots of different styles which all work well and some cracking songs. Rip it Up is genius, obviously, with I Can't Help myself edging it out as best song.
Not as well known as they should be but wow, I didn't realise how much of a template Orange Juice's sound was for the Smiths and a those C86 bands I love so much
Ooo I like this a lot! Never heard of Orange Juice before but the immediate similarity to Talking Heads has piqued my interest. It’s just got a cool and groovy vibe all its own and I’m obsessed. I love this album cover too! They look like a hip crew and I’d love to see them live in their heyday. Quality new discovery!
pretty cool, like british new wave but a couple of songs that sounded african-ish? i liked
i could definitely dance to this! its very lush! i'm getting some japanese city pop from it, 4
I have never heard of this band or any of the songs on this album. That being said enjoyed the smooth vocals and interesting lyrics.
New to me. Mix of Talking Heads and European pop of the 80's. Solid songs.
Sehr Abwechslungsreich. Easy listening in manchen Teilen und rockig in anderen.
Its really funky, a magnum opus of Synthezisers. Great Rhythm Guitar work. Sounds really nostalgic. Also prepare for spontaneous Sax breaks. The voice of the singer reminds me of Bowies Diamond Dogs Album.
Great album. Harmonies are really good, as well as the instruments. I will definitely be listening to this again
I didn't know what to expect with this album, but I'm glad I listened to it. It has an 80's synth-pop feel to it, but it's also got some acoustics in the songs that still have an "upper" feel to them. Sure it's not the most original sound I've ever heard, but it doesn't insult it in any way or form. Favorite track: Rip It Up
New to me. And now I'm wondering why because I absolutely love this album. Holds up much better than most other music from 1982. Somehow sounds timeless and still of its time. Not as consistently great as I like my 5's to be, but already warranted repeat listens and it could eventually grow into a 5 for me.
I’ve never listened to an album with such a mix of great and awful. Overall, I liked it.
the glossy remodel of Orange Juice - shimmering with funky guitars and squelchy basslines
7/10 solid british pop rock, i really liked the guitar work, but nothing to write home about
Overall I liked it; quite a bit actually. Has a "General Public" /"English Beat" feel to it. Found "Mud in Your Eye" to be intoxicating. Last half of album fell off, but overall was fun. B-
Quite varied songs, some really nice ones notably 'I Can't Help Myself' and 'Flesh of my Flesh'. Mostly poppy, some reggae influence. Overall nice, easy to listen album.
I love the innocence of this album. The medium really is the message with Rip It Up; just start something new... It could almost be Nile Rodgers on production for some of the tracks. The rhythms are so strong. Add in Edwyn's almost crooning like vocals and you get a very, very decent album.
Never heard of this band. I'm pretty happy with this album after a couple of listens. It's upbeat new wave stuff with a really catchy title track, some more brooding post-punk moments, and some curve-ball sounds like plasticky reggae and disco. The whole thing is quite bubbly and enjoyable but with an artistic touch and a vintage indie-pop sound. It's not competing with my favourite new wave or post-punk albums, but it's a strong showing in the 1980s Scottish indie category! 3.5, rounding up to 4.
This album was enjoyable from start to finish. Love the infusion of genres and every song felt extremely original. Fav track: I Can’t Help Myself
I loved this album. It feels wrong to categorize this into any one genre because the styles were so variable from song to song. The jazz/ska vibes on I Can't Help Myself is what confirmed my love of this album. Favorite tracks: I Can't Help Myself, A Million Pleading Faces
Something about this album resonated with me. The lead singer's voice is a bit goofy and like Morrissey but I found it more charming and less annoying. Really enjoyable listen.
This one surprised me, a great mix of post punk and new wave, some of it sounding very 80s and some surprisingly more modern. Definitely going to listen again, and explore their other albums.
Second time listening to this album, and I still really like it a lot. Still have A Million Pleading Faces and I Can't Help Myself as my favorite tracks
Don’t know how I’ve never heard of this but all kinds of mashup of early 80s…New Romantic, Devo, etc
I don't think I've ever listened to them before but this really checks the boxes on 80s post-punk for me. Cool angular guitars, laconic vocals and tight rhythm. It's a bit funky too!
What a fascinating area of Post Punk that I have never heard before, or is it Art Rock, or is it New Wave, does it matter? I loved this album despite not really being the kind of 80's production that sometimes puts me off a little bit there's something very talking heads about it but also very Franz Ferdinand about it, if you told me blind it was an album by either of those two I'd probably have believed it. I'll definitely be revisiting this one many times, absolutely great stuff.
Of course it is correct to describe this as post punk. But it feels almost like the antithesis of punk, with melodic pegging, considered (if not necessarily complex) lyrics, and clear investment in post-prod. Which is to say, it doesn't feel like it has the cynicism that sometimes overwhelmed new wave and Brit-Synth of the same period. But doesn't cleave *that* closely to punk either.
This was fun. I had never heard of this one, but I really like the opening track and there are a few other good songs on this album. Interesting Scottish post punk synthy 80s pop. A lot to like there! I don't think this will be going on my repeat list but I'd be happy to hear it again. 3.5 rounded up to 4/5.
Right up one's alley. Not as good as Style Council, better than Haircut 100, way better than the Blow Monkeys and way, way better than A-ha and other weak-ass soundalike rip-off artists that would come later. This feels both fresh and highly evocative of a time and place. Dynamic and vibrant indeed and subtle, resepectul homages (absolutely the best kinds) to various other genres all over the place. Quite good and quite good to know.
Rip It Up - reminds me of Sixth Form and exploring these, Talking Heads, The Smiths, Haircut 100, The Cure etc all the first time. Never heard the entire album before and found nearly all of the songs had something going for them. Some more so than others. Very close to being 5 for me, but will stick with 4.
This album was good. It has the type of ‘80s sound I like (not the synthy type, although this album has good synths). I liked it.
Pretty good. Some great bangers, but also some fairly forgettable songs. Still enjoyable though. I dont get why new wave albums have such low ratings on this website, I generally find new wave to be an inoffensive genre. I get not liking new wave, but I find it difficult to understand how someone could hate it with a passion.
While I am aware of how popular New Wave became, it never liked it, and still don't. I appreciate it a little more in my older years, but it still does nothing for me. This album has a few moments of catchy melodies, but still not my thing. After this listen, probably won't revisit.
Very interesting listen, have never heard of this band before and I found it quite enjoyable. Seems that their sound inspired a few of the newer bands of that region.
A rather diverse album that's good all around which is quite an accomplishment when playing so many different styles.
I’ve never heard of this band before in my life, but now I know where Edwyn Collins came from - even though his one hit wonder from the 90’s sounds nothing like anything on this album. But I really dug this! The vocals are weird, the random slide guitar is weird, the occasional singing in a non-English language is weird. None of this makes sense. And yet it worked for me. Not quite enough to excuse the Almost Famous cover here blurring out the entire rhythm section. But it worked.
J’ai aime l’album et je reecouterais peut etre. Ependnat ce n’etsit pas une ecoute tres active donc je ne peux donner en hau ou en bas de 3.
Un disc inovador, ple de textures originals, d'aromes d'estiu, de seccions de vent enriquidores i de melodies potser no gaire obvies, però que acaben obrint-se pas dins un mateix escolta tras escolta
"Rip it up and start again I hope to God you're not as dumb as you make out" (Rip it up) "Is it wrong to let him walk into the water? Close your eyes for just one moment You get so tired the endless days of watching over And is it wrong as the waves boil up to greet him To turn away - he disappears into the tide All your love it cannot save him All your love it cannot save him" (Turn away) Se me ha hecho un poco bola.
Fun but I wanted to have more catchy songs like Rip it Up and I Can't Help Myself