Reviews (page 8 of 8)
I love Simon Reynold's book on post-punk, titled after this album/song. I get why this album was a breath of fresh air at the time, but I find the "funk" unconvincing. Tooo, too white boy, really. the African influences, courtesy of the drummer/songwriter Zeke Manyika are much more interesting to me (eg A Million Pleaading Faces, or the percussion breaks on breakfast Time), and I wish there was a lot more of that. I find Edwyn Collin's voice just a little bit too ironic crooner for my taste. If it was a little bit faster, a bit more layered percussion, this could have been more like Remain in Light. It has those moments (again, guitar solo on Breakfast Time, which is like Adrian Belew or Robert Fripp) which I really like. But then he starts singing again, or they start playing terrible white boy funk.
Didn’t give a full listen, some songs sounded neat, others like basic 80s stuff
The Clash meets Talking Heads.
Some catchy moments, but ultimately just inoffensive background music. Songs go on for way too long. Definitely not something I'd listen to again.
Mezcla de pop ochentero con toques reggae. Fácil de escuchar, aunque no especialmente llamativo
This is a fun album of breezy and soulful pop/new wave from Orange Juice. The band has a unique style, with a bit of an Afro-pop sensibility (courtesy of drummer Zeke Manyika) and some excellent punchy guitarwork. Edwyn Collins is the standout presence in the band, with his rich vocal style. Great pop hooks on both the title track and “I Can’t Help Myself.” “Mud in Your Eye” is a personal favorite, although “I Can’t Help Myself” is a can’t miss track, the best on the album. Fave Songs: Mud in Your Eye, I Can't Help Myself, Tenterhook, Rip It Up, Turn Away
Liked Rip It Up a lot actually, the rest of the album just slid by though
Went in blind here. Read a few of the reviews in advance and got a bit excited with some of The Clash comparisons. The first song really threw me off as it was a bit too “80’s pop” for me. It got a bit more interesting but never really caught on to the level of potential I had been hoping for. Damn. Fave songs “I can’t help myself”
pretty funky, not bad
I’ve never listened to an album with such a mix of great and awful. Overall, I liked it.
meh. 2 or 3. striaght white boys.
3…. Nearly a 4 … some great tunes and playing
Not bad
it was ok. yawny 5/10
A lot of comparisons to the Smiths and Talking Heads without ever holding a candle to either. Some songs fare better than others, but the album suffers as a whole for not having much to offer in the way of genuinely good music. The best songs are when Zeke Manyika has a hand in things, which is unfortunately few. The rest, I can leave.
I really wanted this to be a masterpiece. It was alright. Might actually give it another go.
Rediscovering this is like finding a crusty old jizz tissue in the pocket of an old coat.
Prefer apple juice
Don't rip it up and start again lads, this one is sound.
Legendär und von mir doch zu lange übersehen. Neben Funk, Talking Heads und Jonathan Richman wohl DER distinktive Sound zur Hochzeit des King Georg. Irgendwie avantgardistisch angekrautet-jangley countryesker Yacht Pop/Rock. Das ist kein Orange Juice, eher Multivitamin. Gibt frisch gepresste 3.3
Ich höre, wie diese hierzulande ja leider stark unterrepräsentierte Band ihre Nachfolger beeinflusst hat, zum Beispiel Kajagoogoo, die Happy Mondays oder auch Rocko Schamoni. Schätze ich alle sehr, genauso wie die Einflüsse die man der Platte wiederum anhört - Afrobeat, Eno/Bowie, Eno/Talking Heads; solche Sachen. Muss gerade mal nachschauen wer die eigentlich produziert hat? Ah, ein "Marlin Hayes", kenne ich gar nicht. Also jedenfalls: gefällt mir gut, auch wenn es mich hier gerade nicht vom Hocker haut. Dafür knapp an die Untergrenze des nächsten Levels ran. 3,5
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.
Some nice Ska/reggae influenced pop. Had heard the name but none of the music. I like it, very much in the vein of General Public. I wish the tempos were a little faster sometimes, but a enjoyable listen. Makes me curious to check out the 2 albums that bookend this one, both if which allmusic.com hold in higher esteem then the one chosen by the authors. 3.5 🌟
Far too late for my liking I have discovered that there is a subset of punk and post-punk music which uses the violin. When I opened the wiki page for this album, I was hopeful that I was about to listen to another entry in that personal canon. Sadly, the string arrangements here are one of the weakest parts. The sax parts, on the other hand, are at least fun. There is a stronger rhythmic sensibility than there is in certain pop/new-wave releases. But it's soundly dated and mostly forgettable. Turn Away was the strongest cut, while Hokoyo hinted at a better sound altogether.
Better than some 80s
Opening with the brilliant "Rip It Up", but that is as good as it gets, which is pretty good to be fair. It just becomes a little samey after a few tracks.
Groovy
Decent. My eyes rolled when I read “post punk” but there’s plenty of stuff going on here. Not to be confused with Oran juice Jones. First hit to use a 303?
Meh
- somewhat boring, downtempo chill ish - pre-new wave... just wave? - Consistent and good enough mix
wishy washy kinda but got those 80s beats that are undeniable catchy
not bad very on and off about it 2.5
Got some micropop vibes on the first song
surprisingly big sound for the early 80s
I dig the totally rad 80s vibe
Never heard of this band. Their vocals are not for me, and I did my best to hear past them to avoid giving this 1 star. Ultimately settling on 2/5 because, at times, the music was pretty fun.
A really decent album
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.
Y
Totally rad
Not for me
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
love the singer and drums
Great album. Harmonies are really good, as well as the instruments. I will definitely be listening to this again
This surprise me. The production on this album is incredible. Silky smooth, but dancey at the same time. Total vibes.
Typical 80s crap
Not a fan, reminds me of Morrissey.
Nice, Sommige nummers ga ik nog wel eens luisteren. album in totaal was goed maar overtuigde niet volledig
3.5 lekker vibe! ook 10 nummerkes perfecte lengte. ik zou het in niche nog wel eens opzetten.
goeie listen
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.
It's an 80's album. That's it's best descriptor. It's not my favorite 80's bullshit album, but it's fine. Pretty boring and predictable. Highlights: 1, and 5.
its ok
Not good
Muy parecido a Talking Heads
Scottish pop/electro band who's only Top 40 hit, "Rip It Up" was the first hit to use the Roland TB-303 synthesizer. Lots of electro synth beats, with some sax and horns thrown in. At times could hear some Franz Ferdinand. Best: Rip It Up Worst: Hokoyo
Pudo ser un EP excelente
Boring background music. The tracks seem to just meander along with no energy.
Sehr Abwechslungsreich. Easy listening in manchen Teilen und rockig in anderen.
Pretty awful. Had one or two decent tracks that redeemed it a bit.
Some good bass but not needs a bit more pep in places
enjoyed it, nice and mellow.
Orange Juice manages to blend British Pop with a touch of ska in this more fleshed out effort. By doing so they have effectively laid a foundation for several genres to follow.
Kindnof a one hit wonder. Their synth alternative music fuses together a few different styles and it's a bit of a weird listen. Not my favorite, but worth a listen
Add to wantlist
If this album actually were a glass of Orange Juice it would be the cheap stuff made from concentrate. Lacks real substance and ultimately not satisfying
New to me. Mix of Talking Heads and European pop of the 80's. Solid songs.
Two great tracks = ⭐⭐ review.
All forgotten the moment it finished - fine but forgettable
solidnoo
Quite okay. You could hear how they wanted to differantiate from the other musím back in the 80s, however that didn't quite worked for me.
Never heard of them or the album...”this is a good thing” I muse to myself, as I’m always craving something different and new to me to listen to. Something that’s not new to me unfortunately, is the use of the description boring. In honour of this album I’ll keep my review the same. It’s new agey rock with heavy reggae influences. God I hope the next album raises my pulse slightly more than resting bpm. 1 Star!
Fua esk soy yo literal
3* quite enjoyable for the most part
Decent bit of jangle pop
Never heard of this. Enjoyable. Grower I think.
Hit and miss. Bit like Christian Benteke
This album started with a John Jensen style wonder goal with a classic tune, but then as Arsenal found out, it was all a little too good to be true as it faded into a bit of a nothing and, not unlke the Danish player, ultimately a bit of a let down.
First track sounds like a weird/slow version of 'Good Times' by Chic without the cool bassline. Overall, it was all just a bit "nice". 5/10 ⚽ Euro player: Johan Cruyff. Played in orange and definitely ripped it up.
This album had a Gary McAllister vibe to it.
Not bad this. Doesn’t sound remotely Scottish tho. Che Adams
Fun but I wanted to have more catchy songs like Rip it Up and I Can't Help Myself
_Rip It Up_ by Orange Juice - (I keep on forgetting to make my music player not fucking shuffle the fucking thing! It's really hard to get an idea of an album released pre-CD era when it's randomly playing tracks.) So it's 80's post-punk...crooner music? It's weird. The first song was...interesting. The second song's lyrics didn't seem to energy and upbeat quality of the music- badabada, badabada, _see the tears in a million faces_ whaaaaaaaat? The rest of the album liked to bounce around in the same manner, where you never knew what you were going to get. I wondered if any of the band went on to be part of some other bands, but they never did. Why isn’t The English Beat on this list?
"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.
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
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.
Chulo. Me recuerda a Bowie oscuro.
Rick Astley? Is that you?... Are they a mix between Squeeze and Pulp? I'm happy that they have a song called Breakfast Time. Other than that, nothing too much to consume here.
Na
Le doy su merecido 5 a este album lo quiero mucho esos solos jijooomano
It has some good sounds but nothing really caught my attention
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.
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.
Soppy nu-wave pop. Never heard of them before, but wasnt blown away at all. I know Edwyn Collins from 'Girl Like you' which I like, but thought this was drivel
Vergesslich
Pretty fucking cool
Very rough sounding hall and Oates, weird voice strains, very repetitive no saves
I don't know if they invented a bunch of things or they sound like some weird amalgamation of a variety of 80's bands. Unfortunately they don't sound as good as a lot of their peers... maybe a mediocre Style Council.
SO MUCH 80s
Solid new wave vibes.
Really good
Meh
Not bad. Just not for me
Not convinced
A rather diverse album that's good all around which is quite an accomplishment when playing so many different styles.
I lived through 1980s synth-pop. Why not Duran Duran or Flock of Seagulls? Ugh
Utter shit. Why is garbage like this on the list?
Listened to about half the album. Didn’t want to finish. Not really into New Wave. Their “hit” song off this album just didn’t do anything for me.
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.
Very 80s and strong talking head vibes. Some late Clash sounds on there with almost a reggae feel
Some interesting notes here and there but nothing special going on with this one. Listening to it once was enough for me
It's okay, but I'm not sure why it's included on the list. Seems very average, and the singles aren't really doing much for me. Unlike even a band like Korn, which at the very least was a major point for a genre, I'm not sure the significance of this one.
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.
Such a weird sound; Mike Peck is intrigued.
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.
Boring, not for me
80s cliché. One or two good songs
What an interesting intersection of punk and pop
Meh...
loved it
Not my jam
I guess some time it was a hit but now it lacks standing out quality that differentiates it from similar albums. Its not bad music but not exceptional
Não gostei. Bloqueio com estética e timbres dos anos 80
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.
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
Reminds me of the talking heads but without the talent
Instrumentaali oli vekkulia, mut laulu pudotti pisteitä. Ei jotenki lähteny
i could definitely dance to this! its very lush! i'm getting some japanese city pop from it, 4
love the sonic cohesiveness of this record. makes me feel like i am in a different time. or having a calm, slow sunday.
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.
pretty cool, like british new wave but a couple of songs that sounded african-ish? i liked
At first it was okay for me but this thing fucking bops. Been listening nonstop to it