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Rip It Up

Orange Juice

1982
Rip It Up
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.

Wikipedia

Rating

2.91

Votes

7199
Genres
New Wave
Post Punk

Reviews

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Fri Sep 25 2020
1

This 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.

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Wed May 18 2022
5

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.

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Mon Sep 14 2020
4

love the sonic cohesiveness of this record. makes me feel like i am in a different time. or having a calm, slow sunday.

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Mon May 17 2021
4

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.

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Wed Aug 25 2021
4

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.

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Mon Sep 21 2020
5

At first it was okay for me but this thing fucking bops. Been listening nonstop to it

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Thu Mar 18 2021
5

What an interesting intersection of punk and pop

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Wed Feb 16 2022
4

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

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Mon Mar 08 2021
3

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

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Sat May 20 2023
2

Another so-called post-punk album I had high hopes for that started off strong but quickly devolved into bland and repetitive guitar work. A few tracks with interesting melodic lines, but not nearly enough meat and potatoes to hold together an entire LP

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Wed Feb 17 2021
1

Utter shit. Why is garbage like this on the list?

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Fri Apr 29 2022
1

There's not a single Tool album on this list and yet I have to continuously listen to this garbage and garbage like it.

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Thu Jun 16 2022
1

They call themselves Orange Juice, but this aged like milk.

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Thu Feb 04 2021
5

Very 80s and strong talking head vibes. Some late Clash sounds on there with almost a reggae feel

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Thu Mar 04 2021
5

Le doy su merecido 5 a este album lo quiero mucho esos solos jijooomano

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Wed Feb 03 2021
5

Chulo. Me recuerda a Bowie oscuro.

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Fri Jan 28 2022
5

Chulo. Me recuerda a Bowie oscuro.

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Mon Feb 07 2022
5

Fresh squeezed juice right here. This was super cool, I absolutely loved it. Feels like it was the start of something new.

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Fri Apr 01 2022
5

Makes me happy, great to listen to on a rainy day

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Wed May 18 2022
5

Seamless transitions Reminds me of Sing Street (it has a certain kind of umph to it) It has great instrumentation and vocals

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Fri Nov 04 2022
5

A surprising connection having never heard of the band until today

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Mon Nov 07 2022
5

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.

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Fri Nov 25 2022
5

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

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Wed Nov 30 2022
5

baita sonzao, curti o rockzao 80tista

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Wed Jan 11 2023
5

Excellent melding of the Buzzcovk edge and the Velvets

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Mon Jan 30 2023
5

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!

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Mon Apr 17 2023
5

Well, I wasn't expecting that!! This album is an absolute joy.

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Wed Jul 26 2023
5

really shockingly funky for a scottish band. has poppy lyrics, punky drums, and thundercat-esque bass. fundamentally strange, and yet every element feels necessary

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Wed Jul 26 2023
5

Very 80s and yet very modern. Really interesting percussion and guitars that don’t fit together at all, but it works. Deliciously collegiate and wholly unique.

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Wed Sep 06 2023
5

never heard of them before really enjoyed this one

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Sat Oct 03 2020
4

pretty cool, like british new wave but a couple of songs that sounded african-ish? i liked

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Fri May 28 2021
4

i could definitely dance to this! its very lush! i'm getting some japanese city pop from it, 4

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Sun May 16 2021
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.

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Wed Mar 10 2021
4

New to me. Mix of Talking Heads and European pop of the 80's. Solid songs.

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Tue May 11 2021
4

Sehr Abwechslungsreich. Easy listening in manchen Teilen und rockig in anderen.

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Mon May 10 2021
4

Muy parecido a Talking Heads

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Tue May 18 2021
4

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.

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Mon May 10 2021
4

Great album. Harmonies are really good, as well as the instruments. I will definitely be listening to this again

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Sun Jul 04 2021
4

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

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Mon Jun 21 2021
4

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.

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Sun Sep 05 2021
4

Don't rip it up and start again lads, this one is sound.

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Sun Oct 17 2021
4

I’ve never listened to an album with such a mix of great and awful. Overall, I liked it.

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Wed Nov 17 2021
4

The Clash meets Talking Heads.

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Fri Nov 19 2021
4

Fun funky album, liked it more than I expected

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Fri Dec 03 2021
4

Such a strange amalgam of genres but this really worked for me

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Wed Dec 08 2021
4

Love it. Jangly, weird, inconsistent!

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Thu Dec 23 2021
4

Really groovy 80's tunes. Sounds like Bowie.

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Fri Dec 24 2021
4

singer sounds like he's doing a bad bowie impression

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Wed Dec 29 2021
4

Nice discoverment, metronomy of the 80´s

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Fri Feb 04 2022
4

the glossy remodel of Orange Juice - shimmering with funky guitars and squelchy basslines

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Wed Feb 16 2022
4

Shout out to the horns on this album. 7/10

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Wed Feb 16 2022
4

7/10 solid british pop rock, i really liked the guitar work, but nothing to write home about

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Thu Mar 03 2022
4

Lots of interesting elements!

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Sun Mar 27 2022
4

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-

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Fri May 27 2022
4

I feel like I want to hang out with them

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Thu Jun 16 2022
4

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.

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Wed Jun 22 2022
4

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.

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Sun Jul 10 2022
4

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.

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Wed Aug 31 2022
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

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Wed Aug 31 2022
4

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

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Fri Sep 02 2022
4

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.

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Thu Sep 22 2022
4

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.

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Thu Sep 22 2022
4

Fantastic album, enjoyed the rhythms, Melodie’s and singing.

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Fri Nov 18 2022
4

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

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Fri Nov 18 2022
4

Don’t know how I’ve never heard of this but all kinds of mashup of early 80s…New Romantic, Devo, etc

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Fri Nov 25 2022
4

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!

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Wed Nov 30 2022
4

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.

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Wed Dec 07 2022
4

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.

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Wed Dec 21 2022
4

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.

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Wed Jan 25 2023
4

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.

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Mon Feb 06 2023
4

Orange juice ft. Sunday mornings, the stuff of dreams.

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Mon Feb 06 2023
4

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.

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Mon Feb 20 2023
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.

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Fri Apr 21 2023
4

Pretty fun, nothing groundbreaking but I enjoyed it quite a lot

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Fri Apr 21 2023
4

My relationship with post-punk is usually quite linear - the further removed it is from simple, traditional, angry punk, the higher the probability of me enjoying it. This album is pretty far removed from typical punk and I quite enjoyed it - some songs more than others, however. There were also just a few tracks that were pretty difficult to listen to such as the reggae-inspired Hokoy, which I had to skip after a minute.

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Fri May 05 2023
4

I enjoy the genre and the idea of making punk rock less angry

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Sun May 21 2023
4

Really like how the title track starts off! Funky surf rock. Really digging this. Getting major Talking Heads vibes. Picking just one genre to label this band as is hard. Especially with Breakfast Time having a reggae vibe to it. and then the sax in I Can't Help Myself! Xylophone goin nuts on Hokoyo. Overall very enjoyable listen and will be going back/exploring more OJ

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Sun May 21 2023
4

This is a very interesting album. It feels very experimental, and I definitely like their science. A Million Pleading Faces is a bop. Breakfast Time feels like it needs to be made into a terrible short horror movie. I bet Orange Juice had a lot of fun making this album. Feels like yet another 3.5 album, but I'm going to bump it up to 4 because it felt so unique. We are on a streak of good albums.

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Thu Jun 01 2023
4

-first of all, orange juice is an awesome band name -you can tell this is an 80’s album, but not in a bad way at all -the sound is really fun!!!! i like the singers voice -favorites: turn away, i can’t help myself -i just love the funky sound going on here -loved the end of breakfast time -SAX AT THE END OF I CANT HELP MYSELFFFF

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