Rip It Up

It's scary to see how quickly the mainstream re-asserted itself after the punk insurgency. Once Rip It Up finishes it's just 80s fluff. If you had a picture of the boys on your bedroom wall in '82 I could see you might feel differently. But I didnt. 2*

An album hopping from genre to genre which doesn't always work. The two standout tracks, Rip It Up and I Can't Help Myself, make this memorable however. Occasionally at work I invoked Orange Juice, with quizzical looks from younger staff members, to rip up a piece of work and start again. Also, Edwyn Collins, accompanied by his son, was the opening artist at my first Latitude in 2011.

Somehow if the UK had a California Beach scene. Which can also be described as if the Addams Family had a summer vacation episode

The 80s alto saxophone gets a good workout on some of these tracks.

Like a knock off talking heads

271 in and this is only the second artist I had never heard of and had no idea what to expect on listening. It's good! a kind of chiming chipper Haircut 100, happier-sounding Smiths, mellowed out Talking Heads postpunk pop, that doesn't sound derivative. Different but not difficult. Not quite enough to send me into a deep exploration of their discography, but this is a nice surprise. 3.5/5. Worth listing just to share the surprise.

Falling just short of a lounge act, Orange Juice delivers something similar to New Wave and similar to pop rock, but succeeds at neither. Maybe there is something that other bands can take out of this, like a cook might discover a new use for cilantro, but largely this is a hot mess that tries too hard and falls flat on its face. This is neither essential or necessary, and, frankly, felt like a waste of an hour. Worra lorra laughs. Try again, boys. My Rating: 1/5

Неплохой нью вейв, но ничего особо интересного 6/10

It's fun. Not what I was expecting. Don't know if it really belongs on the list though.

Jaunty 80s vibes.

Why this album? there is so much more to the 80’s. Definite one hit wonders.

Oh boy, finding any meaningful things to say about this album is going to be tough today. The longer this project goes on, the more difficult it is saying anything unique or different about some of these albums. This one is fine. It’s a 3 star album, which are always the most difficult to critique uniquely. The singing is the worst aspect here, but I don’t even dislike it. It’s just nothing to write home about. The funky beats are the best aspect. Every song to this albums credit sounds a little different from the one before it. While that’s not always a good thing, it makes the album very easy to listen to, and some of these songs are pretty catchy. I’d even dare to say this albums sound is a little ahead of its time. But I’m curious as to why this is labeled as Punk on the site?? I’m not really getting that at all here. New Wave for sure, but not so much Punk. My favorite song was “A Million Pleading Faces”, as I thought not only was it the most catchy, but even the singing was catchy as well. Sounds like this used a different singer on that song, go figure. The more I look back on this album, the less I like the singer. His voice is a bit grating, but the fun, almost reggae at times beats, elevate this album to a 3. But if the singer also rocked, it would be a 4. I’m not the biggest fan of New Wave in general, with a few very notable exceptions, and I think the book has an over abundance of it, so this review likely sounds just like my previous New Wave reviews. But whatever, at least I tried to be unique here. “Breakfast Time” is also worth mentioning as my second favorite song on the album, it almost sounds like the ending credits song to a really good movie, and the little riff at the end of the song notably kicks ass. I can’t say I’ve heard of the band Orange Juice before, but it’s a brilliant band name, and one that was inevitably going to be taken. It’s their only album on here, so my first and final impressions of the band are as follows: Eh. They’re alright. I don’t think I would return to them, but they’re alright. 2 great songs on a short enough album that only drags a slight bit. This one is a 3 out of 5, for sure.

One good single, and some lackluster 80s songs. Not sure what was the point of this album really.

what is anakin doing in the front cover

Like a cross between the darkness of

Essential it is nowhere close, but even though it's boring at times it's not terrible either

Глядя на обложку(до этого проектагруппу не знала) представлялось, что это парни с эстетикой Общнство мертвых поэтов, я так еще не ошибалась, в этом альбоме такая сборная солянка, очень большой рпзрыв ожидания и реальности, не могу сказать, что плохо, просто я это не поняла

It’s fun and light and kinda groovy. Don’t love the vocals tho and prob won’t return to it.

I had no idea this existed and it wouldn’t matter if I did.

A pleasant surprising listen. Expecting more minimalistic thrash rock they had some well composed and performed songs. Very good time spent on this one for 2 spins.

Super low expectations for this. Like basement. Track three and I'm looking forward to it being over. 1. Not offensive. I got over it being boring and made it background noise.' 2. I'm sure it is IMPORTANT like some guy who writes for an online music magazine could tell me why I'm wrong about this but 2 stars. 3. Does anyone else read these reviews? Or is for my own enjoyment.

I’ve heard about the legend of this band for years so was interested to listen. I think I was expecting something more power pop or proto indie rather than 80s dance music but it’s fun and I get how they were a big influence.

RATING: 6.5/10 HIGHLIGHT: Rip It Up LOWLIGHT: Hokoyo

The U.S. Constitution?

Couple of great tracks

Not a great listen and sounds very dated now. It certainly didn’t get my (orange) juices flowing.

I have always liked the song rip it up and whilst it all sounds very 80s there is enough there in the rest of the album to make it a decent listen.

This album is awful, it suffers from the standard 80s poppy slop dross. This one has the unique annoyance of Edwyn Collins’ voice, which by some incredible feat he has made it sound like he’s singing inwards. Ghastly shite, all of it.

Honestly wish I had gotten this album at the very beginning of the project, because it may be the most average album on this list that I've heard so far, and thus the basis for which all other albums could have been judged. It's League Average Dimery. It's not bad. It's not particularly good, either. It's just kind of there. I guess the most interesting thing is that the title track, the one that got popular, is kind of terrible, maybe the worst on the album? Who can say, I've already forgotten it. I didn't mind having it on. I'll never listen to it again. A perfect 2.5 stars out of 5 (rounded up because of positivity).

Flesh of my flesh is goood

Meh. Rip It Up is the best song on the album, which isn't a good thing as it's a pretty average one. The monotonous vocals throughout made this a pretty dull listen. Nothing to write home about and a very forgettable album. 2.5/5.

Actually really enjoyed this one

Good stuff

Scottish goodness

Energetic and fun. But once is probably enough

At this point, I have no problem in principle with this band being featured here. The list is mostly 1001 Anglophone albums to hear before you die anyway, so why not a Scottish one-hit wonder (well, the band, anyway; Edwyn Collins later scored a solo hit with “A Girl Like You”)? The title track is absolutely fantastic jangly pop. With a Roland TB-303 bass synth (reportedly the first hit single to use the machine that would later define acid house), trebly guitar lines, a bouncy beat, melodic yet garbled vocals, and even a saxophone solo to boot, it’s like ’80s pop-rock on Xanax. Can’t complain there. The rest isn’t so great. It’s cheesy, romantic soft rock with soul influences, but without the aspects I actually enjoy in soul, and the songs get forgettable pretty fast. It’s like early-’80s pop that’s probably only nostalgic to people who grew up with it. Whatever. 2 stars.

Rip it up!

I feel like I’m always defending book selections. Not this time. There is absolutely nothing interesting about this music and sometimes it is painfully bad (Breakfast Time, I Can’t Help Myself, Louise Louise), the rest is bad too just not as painful. I’m not sure this was ever good and it did not age well.

Deb vote

This was a fun record. I could hear the influence they’ve had on some of my favorite bands.

As a standalone song, I’d give Rip It Up a 5. I Can’t Help Myself maybe 3.5. Everything else would score lower - so happy to go with a 3 overall.

Good grief, what utter horseshit. Absolutely rubbish.

Please do ..... rip this up. not my cup o' tea

3.5

I found this to be quite dull, yet somehow also a bit irritating. The guitar riff in Rip It Up reminded me a bit of What You Need by INXS. Rating: 3/10

Loved it!

4/5

They were on to something -

Had high hopes for a great punk record based on the cover - boy was I disappointed.

Title track bangs but not much else exciting here for me

oh hey, that's Edwyn Collins kinda enjoyed this one, had low expectations. interesting genre mix

Rip it up is a banger, rest of album is unfortunately 80's twaddle.. 2.5 stars

So they really just let anybody be the lead singer back then huh?

That was different. Not sure if it’s for me but it was something.

Maybe its was because I was doing catch up and everything else was sludge today but I really enjoyed this. It was good. Good 80's vibes but also a little different and more modern then 80's music. Some were a little strange and not my favorite but overall pretty good.

This was decent enough for a 3. I like his unique vocals, and the songs are pleasant enough. Nothing really shined bright though.

Someone had clearly been listening to Talking Heads. However, there are worse bands to be influenced by and this still retains some of their own ramshackle indie charm. Talking Heads with a dash of Orange Juice - it’s a cocktail that works for me.

Je met un 5 pourpas que je l'oublis. Maic c'est un 4.3

3,75 : bien bon, écoutable sans problème

Quelques tounes meilleures que d'autres. Prod semi-bonne. Des bouttes où le hi-hat me rendait fou. 2.5 étoiles

A decent, occasionally grating little 80s record that sounds like a bit of this and a bit of that.

Not interesting but not offensive. A bit calypso in some sounds which I didn't love

80’s pop. Not my sound

I was planning to write that I've never listened to such combination of New Wave, Jangle Pop and funk, but then I remembered that the music of Talking Heads exists. Still, this band has its unique approach, even though is not one that I'm excited about, as the album sounds incredibly tame and forgettable. Maybe some groove rhythms, passionate saxophones here and there, some decent melodies and chord progression, and some more "experimental" parts like the singing in Shone at "A MIllion Pleading Faces" and "Hokoyo", or the reggae song "Breakfast Time". But everything else is very uninteresting or even irritating in the case of the voice when the singer makes an exaggerated accent. Not a bad album, but definitely a collection of forgettable ideas despite of its kind of unique sound

Orange Juice- Some of the music was cool. The guys crooning is really over the top. I am really not a fan of that style of singing. Favorite song “ A Million Pleading Faces” I think the drummer sings that one. There are some bad guitar solos on this album.

Not everything about this was the worst. Was thinking 2 but breakfast time really sealed the 1. I cant stand this type of singing its like nails on a chalkboard for me

Jesus Christ

Started with some really annoying drip drip sounds, like water torture. Hey if your Rick Astley CD has gone missing and you need to "rickroll" someone, this will do in a pinch.

Reminds me a lot of Uh Oh by David Byrne, so I was surprised to find out it cam out about 10 years earlier! The title track is definitely the best one.

I didn't know this going in, but i thought, at least i know the title track, so if everything is as punky as i remember this should be decent. Turns out, i had mixed up Rip It Up with Smash It Up by The Damned... this was not the same as that. Turns out, i DO actually know the title track, and i honestly hate it - and the album fares no better, being the worst kind of self indulgent 80s synth pop. It has a checklist of tired 80s tropes, including saxophone solos, earnest songs using (or appropriating) African vibes, and of course a singer who loves himself despite sounding like he's four martinis deep at a dive karaoke bar. By the time we had an interminable outro on Breakfast Time where the drummer decided to try out every bit of percussion in the music shop, i was ready to tap out. And we were only halfway through. Boy, this was a slog.

3.5

Patiently waiting for a good album to come up bc it’s been a lot of this CRAP

Better than a lot of the never ending Brit Pop on this list, but still pretty mediocre

Overall, okay.

Actually a fun listen. High 3. Might revisit with time

So so, not remarkable

British pop new wave

Early 80’s pop punk

Vi har klart hørt værre lort i denne genre men den er stadig så repræsentativ at jeg har lyst til at give den 1 alligevel

Havde godt nok håbet på lidt mere postpunk og lidt mindre new wave her, eller hvad faen det er. Sikke en omgang grå kedelig grød at lukke med!

🥲 british white people ska to end this adventure.

It was nice! turns out i know few songs from this album!

Good

Rip It Up

Fun and upbeat. I love the use of horns throughout the entire album. I've been a huge hater of the over representation of the UK on this list, but this one itched something in my brain somehow.

Awful!!!!!

a decent little album but i don't think you'd need to listen to it before you die. hokoyo is cool. 3.5

Neat eclectic collection of songs from a post punk band I had never heard of, but should have

I liked the title track. I'm not convinced about the rest of the album.

Supposedly one of Keir Starmer's favourite bands

It’s so easy to hate on 80s music. So I will

A wildly inconsistent but occasionally brilliant album. A classic case of a few hit singles of genuine class surrounded by filler.

Orange Juice?? Who is Orange Juice?? OHHHH Orange Juice = Talking Heads + David Bowie. Got it. Not bad.

about as dull as dishwater 2/5.

it was ok. reminded me of a mashup between XTC and Talking Heads

At first I was like, son of a .... Not another freaking 80s post-punk album!!!!!!!! Can't they mix it up a LITTLE??? But this had a lot of cool stuff going on in it. A lot of instruments and multilayering. I didnt love the voice, definitely held it back. But overall a pretty cool listen.

Another alblum that positively surprise me. I could not put my finger on exactly what genre i would put it into or why I enjoyed. It had alot of little pieces that i really liked. Glad i listened to and that it made the top 1001.

It was an easy listen but nothing really special. I can give or take… very meh.

Kind of hated the vocalist but the instrumentals were SO fun

Pretty light and warm pop, with a great vibe; even if not particularly interesting, it is a fun listen.