Reviews (page 4 of 7)
nice enough
Kind of cute. I never listened at the time - confused them with Bread? Breakfast?
Is this sophistipop? It's solid. Not my style of music and his crooning sounds sarcastic, or just Scottish. Island vibes, jazz mixed with jangle, Morrisey, Scott Walker, Talking Heads, Steely Dan.
I liked this. The first song was the best. But the whole album was a decent vibe. Really unique with the South African drummer I thought he brought some cool dynamics.
This gave the vibe of Talking Heads, with a drop of David Bowie vocals. Overall it’s a fun and enjoyable album.
14/11/2025 Bang average at best. Spotify listeners: 175.6k
This is ordinarily maybe a 2 1/2 but it has two things going for it: a) the immaculate cheesy 80s movie vibes and b) Edwyn Collins
This was nice enough but, besides the title track and Can't Help Myself, there was nothing that stood out.
Couple of absolute bangers on here obviously, and was pleasantly surprised by the African influences! Also didn't realise it was Edwyn Collins?? Learn something new every day.
Interesting but not really my thing.
English retro funk album. Had me bobbing my head at times.
Fine. Inessential. Some kicky Britpop with a couple catchy songs.
Good not great. Decent listen.
I have always loved the single “Rip It Up”, as well as Edwyn Collins’ 90s single “A Girl Like You”, but haven’t listened to anything else by either him, or Orange Juice. The first half of this album was incredible - it got one of my very rare second plays. What I imagine would’ve been side two was a bit of a let down that I don’t really remember. Had I half stars, this would be a 3.5 - it’s just not overall strong enough for a 4.
Much more fun than most of the dealers choice vanity picks have been on this list thus far. “Mud In Your Eye” has a certified banger chorus, a little doowop/surf rock influence for good measure. Really liked this song! The way it fades into “Turn Away” is super impressive too. “Tenterhook” is almost so fun it borders on goofy, but never being too gimmicky. Strong 3/5 on this one, it’s nothing you haven’t heard before, but at least it’s a good time
Speaking craniums
Kinda enjoying listening to these 80s albums that I wouldn’t listen to otherwise. Don’t think I’ll revisit this one though
Not nearly as bad as the reviews would dictate. Not particularly memorable but certainly inoffensive new wave.
Coolest album cover ever? This album started so strong with the opening title track. Definitely wasn't expecting that saxophone. Clean funk guitar riff with dripping fun keyboards and a straightforward beat, a la much new wave of the time. The next track "A Million Pleading Faces" goes to Africa and is good, but feels a bit orthogonal from the first track. Then this is following with "Mud In Your Eye" which is like an old soul R&B ballad featuring a bunch of white guys. So only three tracks in, I'm not sure what to expect next. "Turn Away" is really interesting as it takes an orchestral opening and spins it into a bluesy riff, then into new wave Afro-inspired chorus, and I'm totally lost but liking it at the same time. I get some Berlin Bowie vibes mixed with 80s Talking Heads here. "Breakfast Time" is somewhere between a reggae and creepy circus music and even what sounds like a gypsy scale, while "I Can't Help Myself" could have been pulled from Stop Making Sense with its Bernie Worrell-like synth fills. "Flesh Of My Flesh" and "Louise Louise" have similar vibes as "Mud In Your Eye", but the former has more disco or late 70s flare and the later is rooted more in 60s pop. "Hokoyo" goes back to "A Million Pleading Faces" by switching singers and its Afrobeat influence. It is cool but this and the other feel completely out of place. Then we close out with "Tenterhook" which is another soft ballad overlaid with weird industrial synths and keyboards like what I'd hear in Earthbound. I write all this to say, the musical influences are all over the place. It's like the kitchen sink was thrown at all of these songs, and it sometimes works, but it sometimes feels incoherent or too unfocused. Overall I'm not a fan of the yawning crooning singing style of the main vocalist. There's too much whiplash from song-to-song. I rate it a bit high just for their ambition and willingness to take risks and because it definitely felt unique. It may grow on me in a few listens, but at the moment I don't feel compelled to return to it.
vibing mentre studio la circuitazione del campo elettrico
The strong stuff was really strong, but there’s too much filler for sure. Most of the prolonged dub/reggae adjacent stuff could go! The name of the band made me crave a glass of orange juice, so I had one, and it was a five star glass. Doesn’t count for anything, but worth noting maybe.
Decent but not special
Nettes Album mit dem Sound der 80er .. eine Mischung aus Llyod Cole und den Birds.
Never heard this before. Obviously very influenced by Talking Heads, but I sort of like it better.
Look at that album cover, the jawlines on those lads. Absolute chads. The music, not so much. It's alright, but after the really solid intro track it just sort of plods along with uninspired guitar-work and lyrics. It's okay.
I mean it was ok. 2.8
Very groovy and love melodies
weird earlyish new wave but pretty decent gotta say
Nothing crazy, funky songs
It's a bit fancy and very dated synths, but songs are good, enjoyed the post punk Scots doing their think.
don't know what I expected, but it wasn't that. Alright
What in the new-wave, post-punk? I came in unfamiliar with Orange Juice, but Rip It Up hits with this funky, jangly energy that feels like a left-turn from the punk ethos. It’s got that vibe of bands who traded in straight-ahead aggression for rhythm, groove, and synth sheen—like when punk dipped its toes in reggae or disco, then suddenly sprouted keyboards and polished edges. The title track was their biggest hit, even breaking into the UK Top 10. It’s also notable for being the first Top 40 UK single to feature the Roland TB-303 bass synth, years before it became the sound of acid house. It’s good, it’s smooth, it’s a jam.
Not bad.
Not bad
Музыка: 7/10 Разнообразие: 6/10 Тематика и вайб: 7/10 Цепляемость (отдельные песни зашли): 5/10 Реиграбельность (можно ли рандомно врубить на фон): 7/10 Итог: 6.4
Oh, I remember that song! One thing that always strikes me about early-80s pop is how slow it is; it's hard to imagine dancing to it, but we probably did. The rest of it is pretty generic British pop of the era, and no, you do not need to hear it before you die but it won't kill you.
Another new one for me. This was a mixed bag that I mostly enjoyed. I thought it dragged a bit toward the end though.
Sympa à écouter, plus ou moins selon les musiques présentes sur l’album cependant.
Every single music-related list is biased in any way, but the alternative British 80-90s albums one is very noticeable on this list. It gets boring about halfway through the album. Good songs though.
Exceeded expectations on my drive to CVS
Strong opener, rest not so good
Fun, almost reggae/ska vibe? I enjoyed it enough, pretty decent discovery.
***A good album, easy listening.
Did not recognize this album on sight which is unusual….. This first track…..Jeepers creepers it’s great. And like all songs this good, it’s the only song even remotely like this on the whole album! Wasn’t expecting Afro-beat after that blast of indie new-wave. This is a light, refreshing album. It’s like drinking a mojito at a beach bar on a sunny day. Delicious. THREE STARS
My only real complaint is that at times this sounded like the Talking Heads got drunk and tried their hands at David Bowie impressions. Seriously, that singing voice does not match a single face on that album cover. Other than that, I surprisingly had a really good time with this album. A Million Pleading Faces and Hokoyo are probably the stand out tracks for me, but the sax solo on I Can't Help Myself absolutely rips.
Although I hadn't ever heard of Orange Juice before, it was pretty clear from the get-go with "Rip it up" (and the very dated time capsule of a video that accompany it) that this was an early 80s British band influenced by the likes of The Specials, Joe Jackson, Talking Heads and/or Elvis Costello. Not horrible, but not all that distinctive either, and largely entertaining in a sort of ersatz Muzak sort of way (but with actual lyrics and a more lively tempo), and kudos to them for including a song titled "Tenterhook". I'm guessing they got included because they're a Scottish band?
A little all over the place in terms of style and sound but in general sort of a pop blend of a whole bunch of trends. Think Tom Tom Club but not as good.
This felt familiar but also completely unknown. It wasn't terrible. A little generic. Ah, Edwyn Collins - that makes sense now.
fun! like a diet oingo boingo that doesn't scare everyone
good example of 80s new wave/jangle pop. 3/5
omg, c'est-tu le même album qu'hier? Ça sonne exactement pareil, le genre de
Not gonna go out and rummage through the vinyl bins in an effort to add it to my collection but it's not bad. It's also not memorable.
Неплохо. Альбом может удивить.
Generic 80s. 5 out of 10. Middle of the road
I don’t hate it. I appreciate the early-New Wave. But the album is pretty darn insubstantial. The title track is a lot of fun. This is probably closer to a 2.5-star album.
This is crazy ahead of it's time. It sounds more like a post-indietronica band riffing off the 80s than anything Ive heard that was genuinely from the era. There's nothing else here quite like Rip it Up, a beautifully mellow song that as an opener casts a shadow over the rest of the runtime. The rest is scattered, but not unenjoyable.
Rätt trevligt men inget som riktigt stack ut
This is a pretty chill album, it was nice having it in the background. There was nothing exciting, but I am sure that this was quite chill listening to back in 1982.
Pretty nice stuff, I’d only really heard the title track, but this whole album is worth checking out.
Solid, never heard of this band before
Favorite Track: A Million Pleading Faces
empezó muy bien, después se perdió un poco. 3.5
3.5 08.12.2025
Breakfast Time, Loise Loise, Tenterhook
Some interesting instrumentation
A pleasant listen - sounds a bit like Talking Heads here and there.
great first song. kinda got bored with the rest but it's fine.
This was not what I was expecting out of this album but it was not this! It wasn't good but it wasn't bad it just was kind of ok!
3.5
I'm always open to an album of that is this 80s, and there are some cool melodic moments on this. I didn't love the vocals though so it marks it down.
A decent little British jangle pop album. I do think it’s an era and sound worth representing on the list, I’m just not sure this is the album to do that. The top review for Rip It Up is someone complaining that this album is included but Tool is completely omitted from the list, and I just have to say I’d still much rather listen to this
Was a kinda cool 80’s sound with some variety.
Definitely the grand fathers of Franz Ferdinand. Ok, but not memorable enough to really stand out.
This was interesting and kinda cool, but both singer's voices kinda got on my nerves. I get why people would like this album, but their vibe is just not for me. Three stars.
Rip it Up the single is 5 stars
Not too bad
first listen meh
first song is a bop, the rest kinda chill, i like the energy vibe. listened on a run and felt good
Two or three nice tracks on this album, but the rest are of a standard that makes them a one-time listening experience for me.
I’d never heard of Orange Juice before starting this project, but the title track off of this album inspired the title of Simon Reynolds’s love letter to post-punk, Rip It Up And Start Again. I tend to enjoy post-punk albums from the late seventies and early eighties, but there have certainly been some exceptions to that. I’m hoping that Rip It Up will become a new favorite of mine! While I didn’t fall in love with this album, I thought it was a really unique post-punk album with some new wave elements sprinkled throughout. The guitar playing was really great and interesting, there was some fantastic keyboard playing, and I can definitely hear how this album probably inspired other new wave acts and sophisti-pop artists. The melodies on this album were really catchy, and each song felt like it brought something new to the table. Each song really explored the its own unique sound, and even though there was a lot of variation to the songs, the album felt very cohesive, bound together by the exploration of those melodies and hooks. The title track was really great. I loved the guitar playing, and the bass was really funky. My favorite song on the album though was “I Can’t Help Myself.” The keyboard, synthesizer, and saxophone playing were all fantastic, and it was easily the most fun song on the album. While I appreciate the musicianship on this album, it wasn’t something that I would say I fell in love with listening to; it really reminds me of Tom Tom Club in that way. Still, this album was good, and I can understand why it made this list. I’d probably revisit this some day, because I can see it being the type of album that grows on me.
I loved the song 'Rip it up' and some of Edwyn Collins' later work, so i was a little disappointed to find this didn't stick with me. A fascinating combination of indie music and African vibes and beats, just have been groundbreaking at the time, but now such combinations are more common it just felt a bit empty. A low 3, because it didn't put me off too much.
I liked bits, but apart from the title track, nothing jumped out.
Kinda too 80s for me.
Some good new waveish music. Lead singer's voice is odd, not bad. It's all fine. 6/10
Decent
Interesting and not previously known. 3 *
This is gonna be an interesting one. I remember being recommended to listen to this when I was a teenager and I did download some of it. "Rip It Up" is probably the only song I know from this though so let's go. It's funny I looked at the year this came out because I feel like it was definitely on the earlier side of the New Wave "wave" if you will. I find that there's more guitar and almost some disco samples. I feel like this record inspired both the Smiths and the Talking Heads. But don't quote me on that..lol. Lo and behold it was released in 1982. "Mud in Your Eye" has a great layering singing harmonies. "Breakfast Time" was the first total skip for me. Let's see what the rest of the record has in store for me.... the rest of it save the second to last song is good. Enjoyed overall.
This looks like an album I'd randomly pick up at a thrift store. I had never heard of this band before and didn't have high hopes, but this one was kind of fun. I'm glad I got to listen to it, and can see how OJ may have influenced other bands down the line.
Its fun but not special
It's fine. Completely forgettable, but fine.
I don't buy the online buzz that this group is similar to Television, Buzzcocks, The Byrds... They may have been influenced by these groups but sound more like a precursor to Fine Young Cannbals.,
I liked how it started off and could feel like a lot of indie bands got influenced by this style. However, around Breakfast Time I was over it. I dig the band name but I probably won’t listen to this one again.
I thought I was going to hate this album when it first started, but actually ended up kind of digging it. Not a ton, but there was plenty of catchy and fun things going on that I ended up enjoying the playthrough. Not something I'd put on often, but maybe occasionally just out of curiosity. 2.5/5
They wish they were David Bowie - not even close. I didn’t mind it though
Melodischer Rock, verspielt. Gut hörbar. Keine besonderen Hihglights. 3/5
It’s always the singing that makes it iffy.
I appreciate what they’re going for but it didn’t hook me this lifetime. Makes more sense knowing they’re Scottish. These are getting harder to rate.
It’s fine, but if I wanted to listen to something that sounded like Talking Heads, I’d listen to Talking Heads.
Why does he have to sing like that? It kind of messes up the cool, Police-like vibe they have going. Also, the second half drags. Best track: A Million Pleading Faces (different singer I assume).
I liked a lot of this album, but I like the weird story of the band even more. I did recognize Rip It Up, but do not remember ever hearing of this band and of course that popular song by Edwyn that came out in the 90s was decent. I like his unique voice, but the songwriting never seems to get over the hump.
Its okay
Not a bad album by any means. Not much that really "WOWed" me. The album goes through seamlessly though - the songs are not drastically different enough to be jarring when the track changes. Great as background music to just bop along to. Not really something that I want to actively listen to, but not offensive by any means.
Listens: 2 Standout tracks: I Can't Help Myself, Mud In Your Eye I don't know what I was expecting of this music, when i read the description of the band being "post-punk", but it wasn't this. I don't really understand what post punk is as a genre. Ive also usually despised New Wave music based on some of the other bands I've had to listen to in the 1001 albums framework, but I don't strongly dislike this either. There were some genuinely good tracks on this album. Great saxophone and violins on at least two tracks. 3
I don't know what "Flesh of My Flesh" is supposed to mean but gotta be a contender for all time creepy af song.
Edwyn Collins has such a cool voice. I wish there was slightly better songs on this though.
3.5/5
Not bad! Have known and loved the title track for years. There were some great songs with some super tasty guitar playing
Solid fun. Lost me a bit at the end as these tend to do and I don’t love the guys voice but some real nice songs here
The post rather than the punk. Like a happier clash crossed with Joy Division and a brass band. I can see where Franz Ferdinand got most of their ideas from!
delightful, high 3
Fine.
Based on the first song I had expectations that ultimately weren’t met. I thought the album would be something it wasn’t. Cool sounds throughout, though.
oh wow, another obscure UK album taking up a slot on the album list that could've gone to literally any one else. color me shocked Rip It Up - 3/5 A Million Pleading Faces - 2/5 Mud in Your Eye - 4/5 Turn Away - 4/5 Breakfast Time - 3/5 I Can't Help Myself - 3/5 Flesh of My Flesh - 4/5 Louise Louise - 3/5 Hokoyo - 2/5 Tenterhook - 4/5 Average score: 3.2/5 upon hearing the first couple tracks, i was soooo ready to be a hater. however, in comparison to some other albums on this list that i absolutely hated, this wasn't that bad. in fact, i enjoyed a few of these songs quite a bit. this was yet another one of those occasions where i asked myself "why is this considered a must-listen?"
Poor man's Talking Heads comparisons are apt, I think. Once again, 1001 albums offers up a middling album and lumps it in with post-punk when it's just some stuff on an album. Really feels 80s and it makes me think of classic 80s hits that also feel really 80s and get played at weddings later in the playlist, but without the shared nostalgia. Nothing to dislike here, but nothing to recommend it, but also not really enough to carry an album. Cover album looks pretty cool, though, and I respect them for starting a song with a plaintive "Breaaaakfaaaaaaaaast"
Post Punk without less Punk.
= the Beatles
A smooth recording overall with some songs worth adding to one's collection, but can't be characterized as a truly outstanding record.
I literally had no idea that band named Orange Juice existed and, honestly, had really low expectations. From the name of the band, to the album cover, I just felt like this was gonna be a cheap inclusion, a band only included because they were at least somewhat big in the UK. And there are parts of this album where I feel that way. "Mud In Your Eye," for example, just doesn't work for me. It comes across as just being a weird attempt a different genre that doesn't really work for the band. The more upbeat stuff, the stuff that feels more like most of the album - a post-punk, new wave sound that has somewhat simplistic arrangements and doesn't overstay its welcome on any track. "I Can't Help Myself" really felt like a Talking Heads song that they gave away. And that is by no means a criticism. Sometimes the vocals are a little overly-British, too much for my liking. That Britpop voice shines through and it's really kind of grating. I've always felt that way though. On the whole there's a lot to like, and I'd be open to hearing more of them. I do feel, though, that this didn't necessarily need to be on this list. I liked enough to give it three stars though. Standout Tracks: Rip It Up, A Million Pleading Faces, I Can't Help Myself, Louise Louise
Didn't know what to expect here but I dug it! There's an almost perfect balance between goofy and earnest that a lot of bands fail to nail. I've been listening to a lot of Japanese jazz/city pop and there's a touch of that here, especially on Flesh of My Flesh (great song). So yeah, nice one Orange Juice!
Hmmm. It certainly evokes the times, where some post punk / alternative was coming from and where it was going. A couple songs were intriguing. Some songs from their earlier album sound interesting as well. Not sure if I can move past 3/5 anytime soon but maybe there’s something here. In fact, the word “maybe” describes my response pretty well.
Orange Juice is an interesting band with an interesting sound but pretty pedestrian in terms of real contribution to the genre and era. If there is a good reason to include them on the list it isn’t readily apparent to me.
Really interesting. Def an 80s album, some synth, Talking Heads vibes (not just the vocals) but also a distinct funk element from the envelope filter in the opening track down to some of the featured vocals and basslines. I ended up really liking the sound, even if none of the tracks besides Rip It Up will make the rotation. Some of OJ's later stuff is an evolved version of this and I thinks benefits from the maturity.
I enjoyed it. Never heard them before
One good song. The rest a bit standard eighties.
Some great songs. Some mediocre songs
I quite like how all over the place it is. I liked the funkiness a lot and I particularly enjoyed the African parts too. The softer stuff I wasn't really a fan of though, and the vocals didn't really sit well with me either. A high 3, just. Was really considering a 4 but I don't think it holds up as well as the albums I've already rated a 4
6/10…new wave / post punk
Favourite Tracks: Rip It Up & Turn Away
This seems like another one of those British Isles albums that perhaps shouldn't belong on the list. It does have 28M plays for the title track, and 10M plays for "I Can't Help Myself", so maybe the album is more important than I realize. On the whole it's not _bad_, it's OK early 80's pop; I just don't know if it's _that_ good.
What's there to say? Another "perfectly acceptable background listening" one."
A very interesting mix of music. Album started out reminding me of a mellower/80s version of OK GO with more unique sounds/instrumentals, then it had some African rhythms...not sure what to make of it. Most of it was typical 80s jams. It was all perfectly pleasant.
Definitely an 80's vibe. Oh snap!
This was a decent album with some cool ideas. Didn't blow me away or anything. Rip it up and I can't help myself were probably my favorite tracks
Odd sound
had some cool instrumental sounds
They were OK. Nothing special. 2.5.
Yeah it’s whatever! I would rather listen to this than some of the other stuff on this list
Pretty good.
50/1001 - I might need to re-listen. That went in one ear and out the other. Sounded okay but hard to hear lyrics.
Rip It Up is good. Rest doesn’t seem to have the same energy. OK though.
Quite enjoyed this one - unremarkable for me though!
Some great tunes in there.
This is one I've tried to get into over the years as it has been cited as a foundation document for a lot of the music I like, but I dunno. Like much new wave pop, the songs are one minute of a good idea dragged out to five. If "Rip It Up" was 2:30, it'd be perfect. Time and place, this honkylypso would have been an excellent antidote to very serious punk in 1982 Scotland but most of it hits me like the other songs on a Police or (English) Beat album.
I feel this is another case of a band that was big in the Uk and made no impact in the US. Reminded me of scritti politti with a touch of Culture Club or Fine Young Cannibals. Today it sounds a bit over produced. Not really my thing, but harmless enough.
I knew the title track (and loved it). Didn't know the rest. The rest is as great as the title track. This is an amazing album. A very bad description would be "Men At Work" pretending they were "The Talking Heads".
Ecclectic 80's style rock/reggae/funk -Rip It Up -Breakfast Time -Can't Help Myself
Pretty fun listen, some cool funky tunes on here.
Me pareció aburrido. Tiene un par de temas buenos pero en general me fastidió un poco.
Didn't really listen to much but whay I heard sounded good
Ma used to play Orange Juice when I was a kid in the car so got some good nostalgia for me
Pretty okay 80s sounding 80s album
This album is great I just wish there were some cool-ass dolphins on the album cover idk. Favorite track: Mud in Your Eyes 3.5/5
Another completely unknown band. Good album overall. A very uplifting African influence.
Some hits and misses. I quite liked A Million Pleading Faces and I Can't Help Myself. Always happy to hear a saxophone solo, too.
Not heard this in a long time, always thought it was Talking Heads. Still, good album. 3.5 stars
afrísk áhrif. bresk nýbylgja, ekki spenntur en ekkert voðalegt.
3.50
Love new wave and had never heard of these guys. They were right up my alley.
A 3.5 really. The first recorded use of the Roland 303 - as on the mega squelchy synth bass on the title track. On the whole I prefer their mega-scratchy sound before this rather than the Talking Heads sound here.
Truly a mixed bag. The highs like the title track are really great, fun, a little funky, danceable, great. But a lot of the meat is pretty bland and forgettable melding into one big pile. It’s good. It just never dips both toes into great
hat ganz gut angfangen aber war dann doch nit soo special. 3.5
Post Punk / New Wave from Scotland. There's some Reggae and Dub influences here and there, plus some fun synth. Overall, it's quirky and enjoyable. Nothing more to say about it. 3.5/5
Scottish proto indie had some potential but didn’t reach it with this
Really caught in the middle on this one. I vowed to rate all of the albums I like in some capacity a four out of five to counterbalance the growing number of one stars on my list, but also to avoid another A Wizard/A True Star debacle (seriously, what the hell was I thinking giving that album only a THREE out of five???). However, was this really an album I liked? It's pretty good instrumentally - way above the standard for new wave, but the lyrics and vocals are incredibly shit. I'll take the gamble. It's good, but not nearly good enough. I think the parts I dislike about this album will permanently gatekeep me from ever liking it, and it isn't nearly as conceptual as all of the other albums that I've lowballed in the past. That being said, this is quite possibly the only new wave album I'll ever like. Uhhhhh. Okay, I'll heads or tails it. Heads is a 3 and tails is a 4
Un album qui m'a laissé plutôt de glace sur le coup, avec ses influences afro-américaines, mais en lisant et en me replaçant dans un contexte de 1982, je peux comprendre qu'il ait eu une grande influence sur des groupes que j'ai préférés par la suite
Plucky and 80s-tastic
Pretty good album but if I hadn’t heard it before I died, I probably wouldn’t have cared
A good pop effort. I liked the rhythmic variety. A bit of world/carribbean flavour. Having said that, none of the songs have stuck with me.
I don't like the singing, funky tho
Cute! I don't think this inspires as much devotion in me as it apparently did for Simon Reynolds, but a nice surprise for a daily album Favorite tracks: "Mud In Your Eye", "Flesh of My Flesh" Least favorites: "Breakfast Time", "Louise Louise"
Rip It Up is a charming album with plenty of personality, blending funk, pop, and post-punk into a quirky package. While it has some standout moments, the album feels inconsistent, leaving me with mixed feelings overall. the guitar work is absolutely brilliant. From the jangly, upbeat strums to the more intricate riffs, it's clear that this is a key strength of the album. Every track benefits from the dynamic guitar play, and it's one of the elements that keeps me coming back to it. I really can’t get enough of it. The drums also stand out in a good way. They're simple yet incredibly effective, driving the rhythm without ever overshadowing the other elements. They keep things grounded, allowing the guitars and vocals to shine through, which is exactly what I want from a rhythm section. However, the vocals are where I feel the album falls flat. They're just bang average—there's nothing that really grabs my attention or makes them stand out. They’re fine at first, but as the album progresses, they just get more and more annoying. The monotone delivery, combined with the lack of any real emotion or character, becomes grating as time goes on, making some tracks feel like they drag unnecessarily. They're serviceable, but nothing special, and it leaves the overall vibe feeling a bit lackluster. Another big downside for me is the fake horns. I really dislike them—they sound so artificial, and they take away from the authenticity of the tracks. It’s a shame, because I feel like the album could’ve benefited from more organic instrumentation In terms of production, it’s solid, but not without its flaws. The mix is clean, but it feels a little too polished for the sound they’re going for. I was hoping for something with a bit more grit, something that could have made the album feel more raw or urgent. It doesn’t have the rough edges that would have made it stand out in the post-punk genre. Tracks like "Hokoyo" and "I Can't Help Myself" show the band's potential, but in the end, Rip It Up just feels average. It’s an album I can appreciate, but not one I feel the need to return to on repeat. It’s a decent listen, but there’s a lot more out there that does it better. Just about a 2.5
fun, enjoyable, the bright melodic guitar twang and funk experimentation bring a lot to the vibe heavier, the back half is much stronger than the first half. Orange juice does a lot right when it comes to the fundamentals of 'Jangle Pop', that fusion of new wave, post-punk. I wouldn't've put it on the list, but I can see why it's here, and who it inspired. I never would've heard it otherwise and I'm thankful for that. Strong 6/light 7.
kinda boring but kinda good too
I don't hate this. Breakfast Time is a fun jam. The sax on Can't Help Myself! Let's goooo.
They're cool, they're breezy, they're VH1's dream. Nit just your typical 80s new wave rock, meld quite a few influences from jangle pop, new wave, afrobeat, blue-eyed soul. I very much enjoyed it without being blown away. The highest of threes.
Tvö góð lög við aðra hlustun, svo sæmilegur filler. Vil þeim ekkert illt svo þetta flýgur upp í þrist.
все мои мысли к следующему дню сгорают. вот мысль: пост-панк из 80х не звучит как жанр который я бы назвала пост-панк, иц файн
Album is OK although not particularly interesting. You can hear the influence it had on bands that came after.
Eh
This was very strange. His voice sounds like a parody I heard in a movie or something. But if I can get past the vocals, I do like some of what's here. And I never thought of turning it off, so it has that going for it.
Not offensive
An interesting album, I liked Louise Louise.
Pretty smooth, but still had some juicy bits 🍊
Like this. Talking heads-y.
Interesting at times.
This is right in my wheelhouse sound-wise, but it just comes across as a Talking Heads/David Bowie tribute band. Not at all original.
Fun! I had never heard of them. Especially the first songon the album is an instant new wave classic. The rest of the album doesn't live up to the expectations set by the first song imo
Not a terrible way to start the morning.
These guys were really into I Zimbra.
Another Brit-pop-y album, a bit better than most that I've heard, but I'm still puzzled on why this made the list?
Some cracking songs especially Rip It Up but largely floated by
The Clash meets The Cure and falls in love with Blondie is the only way I can describe Orange Juice. Decent new wave sound, solid bass lines. Would make a great John Hughes soundtrack.
Pretty cool album, reminded me of Talking Heads
I really love the sound of this one compared to other similar albums I've listened to. Something about it just makes it a lot more fun to listen to. It feels unique and catchy. My favorites were Turn Away, I Can't Help Myself, and Hokoyo.
I thought this one was pretty good. I really liked when the saxophone snuck its way in there. Some of the instrumentation reminded me of Talking Heads. Favorite songs were Rip It Up, A Million Pleading Faces, I Can’t Help Myself, and Hokoyo.
Te '80s' naar mijn goesting. Er zitten twee oké nummers in (rip it up en i can't help myself), maar dat is het ook. 2.5
Blind album and artist. Nothing spectacular but nothing bad upon first listen. 1 decent song is their most popular I guess and no other words really. Mid? Am I hip and cool if I say that?
A fun little gem of a record. Kind of like a more Chic’d up English Beat. Equally danceable and British. Turns campy at points, but generally keeps its sense of cool. Not a knock out, but definitely enjoyable.
Was a vibe, maybe 3.5?? Rip it Up and I Can't Help Myself were really good Hokoyo was groovy but the lyrics/vocals are cooked
- Irgendwie fand ich es nicht schlecht, auf jeden fall ganz stimmungsvoll. - Gehört wohl zum Neo-Pop bzw. so mit zu den ersten Indi-Pop Sachen. Man hört auf jeden Fall aus manchen Songs die Einflüsse auf heutige Indi-Pop Produktionen noch raus. - Einige echt coole Sachen drauf, mit Manchem konnte ich weniger anfangen - Die Einflüsse aus anderen Genres z.B. Reggae, Disco oder Collegerock mochte ich - Finde es witzig, dass Edwyn Collins Sänger der Truppe war, das war mir nicht bewusst. - Tendenziell mal wieder ein Grower bei mir Rating: 3,25-3,5/5
I sorta liked this.
I feel like I heard the opening track somewhere before but can’t really place it.
A little fun, lightweight 80s music to get you through your day.
There is some good playing here, but the choice to sing dramatically the most foolish lyrics ruins several songs. Is that a Scottish thing? Quite a rollercoaster.
Not bad. Singer's kind of goofy David Byrne-ish sometimes. Other times, he reminds me of Dave Wakeling. Music's decent and varied enough to keep my interest. 3.5*
Put it on my shelf with Pelican West. Not enough there to place it as top 1001, but digging the grooves on “I can’t help myself”.
started out strong then got annoying
Cool mix of musical styles. Vocals are just okay.
True rating would be 2.5. It's just so uncommentable. Not bad, not great. Bang bang average.
I like that I didn't know what to expect from song to song. I didn't like the goofy vocals and whatever that foreign language was. A lot of those songs started to get repetitive also.
This is okay. It's a bit weird feeling to me - just in that it seems like a weird mix of pop funk for a British act to pull off, especially with the crooning of Edwyn Collins
Started and ended fairly well. Not so much in the middle, but as a whole, the album was pretty good.
Not my cup of tea
Agradable
A really eclectic sound. A time when white dudes did African music.
This was not interesting.
Some very interesting tunes. Some syrupy sweet, others exotic and full of fun.
Some great songs on this. Some of them sound a bit goofy, though. When the lyrics and vocals take themselves seriously I really liked this.
My friends, this is one mishmash of an album. Starts Pop, goes Reggae, then a little new wave thrown in.. Nothing I’m going to remember, was wavering between 2-3 stars but the last few songs got my toes tapping so three it is.
Album 531 of 1001 Orange Juice - Rip It Up (1982) Rating : 3.5 / 5 Was prepared to not like this but am pleasantly surprised. Classified as New Wave/Post-Punk, this just seems like some simple British Pop which I enjoy (but I hear the New Wave). Seems perfect for the time of release. Release in 1982 but it feels more like 1984.
This was all over the place. Really hated some bits and really loved some others, sometimes bits that were occurring at the same time. There were some incredibly cheesy and cliched 80s synths in the mix, but they were sometimes so cheesy they swung right back into my good books. A lot of fun lyrics as well - I particularly enjoyed ‘A penny for your thoughts. Incidentally you can keep the change’ Some of the more mid-tempo tracks just passed me by but the ones that made an impression were a lot of fun when they weren’t actively annoying me
3/5
01) Rip It Up - 8,0 02) A Million Pleading Faces - 7,5 03) Mud in Your Eye - 7,0 04) Turn Away - 7,0 05) Breakfast Time - 7,0 06) I Can't Help Myself - 7,5 07) Flesh of My Flesh - 7,5 08) Louise Louise - 7,0 09) Hokoyo - 6,5 10) Tenterhook - 6,5 TOTAL: 7,15 (72/100) Current ranking: 178/289 This actually sounds better than I thought it would. The album is a bit boring, but at least it's pleasantly boring, not irritatingly boring. Does that make any sense? Ah, who cares... So it's three to four stars boring, not one to two stars boring... There you go!
This was OK. I had never heard of these guys before today, and I liked it well enough, though I can see why it's been forgotten. I'm not sure if it belongs on this list, but I liked it well enough, even though the main singer's voice wasn't my favorite.
I'm a sucker for this 80s British sound in all its nasal glory.
-kind of reminds me of a slightly more antiquated Depeche Mode? I like the instrumentation / slight world music influence, the first few songs were especially good even tho it fell off a little with some songs -Favorites are Rip It Up, A Million Pleading Faces, and I Can’t Help Myself
Hasn't aged well but title track is good!
Young Americans on discount Breakfast Time er et highlight
I was really excited about this after the opening tracks - and while it never became bad, I had a hard time understanding some of the instrumental choices. Maybe it was just a tad too goofy at times?
Pretty solid, not really punk, but moreso Europop.
I think this one is pretty ok. It has a fun vibe and I think the music is well played. This particular style of 80s music is not overly my thing though. I feel like this one COULD grow on me but definitely didn't grab me fully on first listen. I definitely don't dislike it though.
It was fine, I liked a few songs
A very unique sound, mixing post-punk with funk and, uh, disco? That sounds kinda awful but I actually think it works, more or less, even if I don’t love some of the production choices. The singer is a bit of an acquired taste, too. I enjoyed it all in all. Best song: Rip It Up
This was fairly mediocre. Most songs sounded a bit anemic.
One great single and a bunch of (occasionally decent) filler - they would score pretty poorly if not for the Scottish bonus point! The title track is great, if perhaps overplayed, but there's nothing else here worth even 3 minutes of your time. Edwyn Collins is interesting though, not least because he was (kind of) a one hit wonder twice over! His recent health struggles and comeback tug the heartstrings too - far more than anything he did with his first band.
The better moments are really funky and a lot of fun - reminiscent of Talking Heads and baggy indie. The rhythm section is having a great time and I enjoyed it. The slower numbers didn’t do anything for me though and I generally struggle with overly ‘80s’ production and post-punk/new-wave vocal style, which definitely tempered my overall enjoyment here.
80s New Wave sound, which I usually don't like. This one feels inventive, and it sounds like they had a lot of fun making it.
Pretty good music, some good drum riffs, but didn't really move me.
It was ok. Has its flaws. I like the African influence in a few songs, and the instrumentals were cool. It was ok.
I really liked the first song. Some of it was forgettable but some of it I really enjoyed.
I don't have much to say about this one, not because it was bad by any means, it's just mostly samey the whole time. Some really solid funky jangle pop. Worth a listen just for how great the title track is.
Band rocks, vocals suck
Sounds so dated now. Scottish group, missed them first time around.
Not bad
Minun on mahdotonta pitää epäonnistuneena levyä, jonka eteen olen valmis näkemään näin paljon vaivaa. Oliko avausbiisi hyvä? Entä se toinen? Jokin heidän ohuessa rock-skeptisyydessään saa minut epäilemään kuulemaani. Mutta kyllä nämä groovet vain toimivat.
⭐⭐⭐/5
This started off pretty well, I liked the vibe of it and it seemed pretty funky. But it tailed off towards the end and I felt like it was dragging on. Probably a 2.5 stars but I’ll round to 3
oranger saft funny synthi moment ah wen erinneret sie mich??? pleading faces git chli meh gas und s het chli meh sache wo passierer bis jz isches fun mud in your eyes cute unf schöni stricher am schluss ja s het mi nanüt umghaue, iwie töned für mich die 80er post-punk bands alli chli ähnlich? bzw. mengischfindi de punk ahteill doch marginal geile übergang breakfast time findi jz ener langwilig, au wenn d perkussion no cool isch I CAN'T HELP MYSELF SEHR COOLE SCHLUSS MIT WASAUIMMER FÜRES BLASINSTRUMENT ok wieder, flesh of my flesh chli langwilig aber denn d blöser hends für mich vhli spezieller gmacht (und de triangel hahahah) hokoyo seehr cool tenter hook singter zwar chli speziell aber genau das maxhts echli speziell ohh und s solo (wemmer so chan nenne) hejaaa (s lied vo outkast), iwie hani alles chli naja gfunde, immer wieder vooli ahsätz aber schlussendlich doch recht seicht wnl
I like the horns. It's very British. Overall, it was a fine listen.
"I Can't Help Myself" is really fun. This album was OK, a little boring at times but definitely an enjoyable album. I've never heard of Orange Juice, but I'm sure they were important and formative for many bands that came later. 6/10
i like
just a fun new wave experience, album enjoyed
Heard this bamd mentioned on some podcasts but don't think I have heard them. The vocals remind me of someone I can't place. Stand out tracks: - Rip it up - Mid in your eye - Breakfast time - I can't help myself
The first song is excellent. Otherwise, a good album.
3+
Very 80's. Big fan of the lead's voice. The jazz combo is a nice pairing with the feel of the music, definitely helps it stand out apart from other albums. 3.0
Important band. But the sound didn’t do a whole lot for me.
3,5
Might have liked it more if I hadn't learned by experience by now that Scottish 80s pop/post-punk is one of the most overrated and over-represented scenes on this list. Had some highlights, but I'm over it.
Standard 80’s album
Muy divertido. 6/10.
B- Rip It Up 3 A Million Pleading Faces 3 Mud In Your Eye 4 Turn Away 3 Breakfast Time 3 I Can't Help Myself 3 Flesh Of My Flesh 4 Louise Louise 3 Hokoyo 3 Tenterhook 3 The glove didn't fit...
Meh
This was a new one to me. Lots of my favorite music was influenced by this or Orange Juice was influenced by them. It doesn't rise to the level of the bands I'm reminded of. It is good though. Ultimately for me it's a super strong 3 or a soft 4. I went 3 because that is the rating I use for a wider array of albums. 4s are something I'd listen to more than this.
I do like Rip it Up. Probably felt ahead of it's time. most of the songs felt like filler though to me.
Ok. Reminded me of tears for fears
Title song is great and I wish I could get into the rest of it but I just don’t think it’s going to happen at this point.
okaa 7/10
That singing voice & the very 80s sound are the biggest detractors on what is otherwise a pretty interesting album to listen to.
This veers so frequently and violently between atrocious and class that it's given me whiplash
So I knew the song Rip It Up, which is okay, a bit cheesy. But then the rest of the album, especially the following song felt completely different. Overall I didn't mind the album but didn't love it.
Rip It Up is a banger of course. The rest not so much. I do love Zeke Manyika’s style though. Instantly recognisaed it from his work with The The
Nice bit of new wave
If this album was just rip it up on repeat for 10 songs it would probably get a higher rating. If it was a lot of songs similar to rip it up it may have been a four star album. Instead it’s one song like rip it up and the remaining songs are nowhere as fun or exciting. This album really isn’t as bad as a 2 but not as good as a majority of the 3 star albums. 5.8/10
I was excited for this one given how great the title track is, and their influence on the likes of The Smiths. The problem is the best song is the title track, then there’s quite a few questionable tracks that never really gripped me. They just passed by. The songs that are good are very good, particularly Louise Louise, Rip it Up, Breakfast time. But the rest arent nout nor something. The influence of Orange Juice / Edwyn Collins are as far reaching as anyone. No Orange Juice = no Smiths (probably…). But I really wanted this to be better and it isnt. 2.5
Never heard of Orange Juice before today. They have a really good sound, post punk with a hint of Ska and Indie. the tracks on the album work well together. Favourite song: rip it up Least favourite: they were all good Album artwork: Standard band cover
Post-punk in the Talking Heads vein. I can hear a band like Franz Ferdinand in this quite well. It's solid with a few cool sax solos, but doesn't really move the needle for me. Favorite track: "A Million Pleading Faces"
not impressing
I was not aware of this band. Not a bad album. Just when I thought I might be getting bored, they switch it up on the next track. This is another album I appreciate as an historical artifact, but not something I will probably listen to repeatedly.
All over the place, some enjoyable and some not
Weird but not bad
It was just hit or miss for me. Just fell flat at times and was strange at others, good at others though. Solid, just not essential to me.
Mid. Talking heads style
It was fine-ish I guess. It feels like something that I should like more than I did. A 2.5 rounded to 3
Þetta var nú bara prýðilega áhlustanlegt. Ekkert sem stóð eitthvað sérstaklega upp úr en passaði mjög vel í bakgrunninn þannig að já. Meðalplata en ég gæti alveg sett hana aftur á samt.
listened 3x. 2.8/5
An alright record. I can't say much more to be honest.
Scottish new wave, meh
Completely inoffensive, but also never piqued my interest. 3/5
An incredibly competent and somewhat wholesome post punk album that doesn't have the most staying power, but is good fun when you're listening to it. It's the band's cohesiveness and instrumentation on tracks like Hokoyo that do it for me. We're just vibing along with them, and there's no need to introduce wild guitar solos or crazy breaks.
One of my best friends at school absolutely hated Edwyn Collins, which I thought was a bit harsh. That’s about as much as I contribute to this. It’s fine, nothing setting my world alight. Plenty of saxamaphone. Upbeat.
Short and sweet. Chill. Kind of forgettable.
3.5
fine! very new wave
It was fine? Forgettable at best.
This was a big ol' miss for me. I'm not even really sure why.
Listen at 22/02/2024
Weirdly I expected more based purely on the cover. It was OK but I can't remember a single song now the day after. Bang on 2.5
Interesting, will need to revisit. Bass in the first song is fuckin insane
fun, idiosyncratic poppy alt-rock with reggae (?) influences (?) very interesting. they can’t all be bangers. but the ones that were, were!