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Too Rye Ay

Dexys Midnight Runners

1982

Buy At Rough Trade
Too Rye Ay
Album Summary

Too-Rye-Ay is the second studio album by English pop band Dexys Midnight Runners, released in July 1982 by Mercury Records. The album is best known for the hit single "Come On Eileen", which included the refrain that inspired the album's title. It was the band's most successful album, debuting at number two on the UK Albums Chart.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.14

Votes

11035
Genres
New Wave

Reviews

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Tue Sep 21 2021
5

Wow. What to say. I was going through some really bleak times in 1982. Both my older sisters had killed themselves in a suicide pact. I sought solace in the music of Dexys Midnight Runners and boy did it change my outlook on everything. 40 years on and I still have a bittersweet feeling stuck in my throat about it. To this day you can find me both dancing and crying to Come On Eileen. It did ruin my cousin's wedding, but she's a complete slut.

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Thu Jul 08 2021
4

Not bad, not bad at all. "Come On Eileen" is a classic, and the rest (for the most part) blended together - but into an enjoyable mash. Would revisit.

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Mon Jan 24 2022
1

fucking insufferable. the guy nobody really wanted at the party, waiting for a high five, hand in the air, for over an hour.

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Wed Mar 30 2022
5

This was actually fantastic. Ahead of its time in ways, rooted in old school folk idioms in others. Nearly every song full of emotion. I'm doing it, I'm giving it a 5.

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Wed Aug 04 2021
2

Nothing "I need to hear" aside from the song I've heard 3000 times in my life.

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Tue Sep 21 2021
2

The only decent thing to come out of the 80’s was me. I used to like Michael Jackson during the 80’s but turns out he has a thing for staring at bum holes.

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Tue Sep 21 2021
5

Deserves a 5 just for managing to make dungarees cool. Top effort. If it was a footballer it would be sarong wearing trendsetter David Beckham.

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Tue May 02 2023
2

Too rye ay? More like “Two stars, aye?”

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Fri Dec 31 2021
5

I love “Come On Eileen.” One of my all-time favorites. But for reasons unknown I have never listened to this album. I’m glad I did. This is a hell of a lot of fun and I really enjoy this album. Kevin Rolland’s vocals have a Freddie Mercury-like drama to them that I am surprised to have never noticed before. Songs like “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m In Heaven When You Smile)” exude joy and make this album is a real pick-me-up. The strings and horns are exciting. The lyrics are often serious and even dark and contrast with the music, as in the peppy song’s “I’ll Show You” exploration of school boys change into ‘alcoholics, child molesters, nervous wrecks and prima donnas, jilted lovers, office clerks, petty thieves, hard drug pursuers’ all to the happy horns. This makes TOO RYE AYE a fun listen that exposes more depth than you might expect as you become more familiar with the songs. “Plan B,” “Liars A to E” and “Until I Believe In My Soul” were other standout tracks to me on the first few listens. Even “Come On Eileen” had a little surprise at the end. I also enjoyed the bonus tracks a lot as well. Great album!

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Tue Mar 07 2023
5

Love their sound! These guys deserved to be more than a one hit wonder. A couple songs on here sound like they're inventing ska and made me really happy.

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Thu Sep 17 2020
4

So much more than just Come On Eileen. Great horns all over the album. Not that far from Housemartins at certain tracks.

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Tue May 02 2023
4

I think Dexys Midnight Runners having 3 albums on this list is the clearest example of British bias in the book. That's not to say that I dislike this album. 7/10

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Fri Apr 30 2021
3

Surprisingly good. Enjoyed this more than I thought. Last track is shite though

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Sat Feb 06 2021
5

Absolutely amazing. I definitely knew Come on Eileen, but I have never listened to this entire album. Definitely one of the best so far, in my opinion.

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Tue Jan 11 2022
5

A very fun listen. An upbeat album with multiple tracks that are absolutely welcome into my playlists.

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Wed Jun 01 2022
5

Such a unique voice the lead singer has, and it carries the album along with some great instrumentals. 'Come on Eileen' is obviously the standout hit, but this album is just such a joyous romp from start to finish. Listen to it on a bad day and your mood is sure to improve! The album would have been 4 stars if not for the fantastic 'stick-the-landing' ending that is 'Come on Eileen,' which bumps it up to a 5.

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Sat Jun 11 2022
5

More glorious sounds from Dexy’s including the imperious ‘Come on Eileen’, probably the weirdest floor filler there’s ever been. The energy on the track as the piano and fiddle dance along is infectious. Across the rest of the album, keep those horns blowing. I don’t pretend to understand Kevin Rowland but I do appreciate his artistic flair and commitment to playing whatever the hell he likes. This is an absolutely classic album from the best British band of the eighties.

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Fri Feb 02 2024
5

Love a bit of Dexys - I don't rate this quite as highly as "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels", and if 4.5 was an option I'd probably go for that, but it isn't, so a 5 it is! "Come on Eileen" has no doubt been over played to death, but it's such a good song I don't think it suffers too much for it - I don't object to hearing it again whenever it comes up. Fave tracks - as well as the aforementioned, "Let's Make This Precious" and "Plan B" are both bangers!

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Thu Aug 12 2021
4

It seems Dexeys are more than one hit wonders. This album has depth to it. Catchy songs throughout, in their signature style. Well sequenced with a run of quieter songs at the end before the release Come on Eileen hoedown. The only thing that lets it down is that the singer's voice gets a bit grating after a while. Overall, really, really good though. 4/5.

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Mon May 24 2021
2

Un bon album de la part du sosie vocal de The Cure.

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Wed May 12 2021
1

Wow this guy's voice is annoying!

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Mon Jan 24 2022
1

I found this album extremely grating. I forced myself to stick with it but it almost became the first of these albums I didn't listen through all the way.

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Fri May 13 2022
1

I hate "Come on Eileen," but I was expecting to be pleasantly surprised by this album. I wasn't.

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Fri Oct 16 2020
5

Absolutely glorious - all coming together in one of the ultimate pop singles, which is even better at the end of this album that as a stand-alone song. Yes!

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Wed Jun 16 2021
5

New wave. Son los de Come On Eileen.

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Sun Aug 15 2021
5

Ya estoy en edad. Me encantó.

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Fri Dec 17 2021
5

10/10 didn’t know acoustic 80s pop like that would sound so cool it’s got so many cool songs, it sucks that it’s all over shadowed by Come on Eileen

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Wed Feb 09 2022
5

Adorei o álbum! Achei as músicas alegres, animadas e divertidas. Verdade que não prestei atenção nas letras, mas adorei. Me animou pra fazer um bolo, que é uma tarefa que me faz feliz. Acho que volto a ouvir com mais atenção depois. :)

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Wed Feb 09 2022
5

This album is dated in a good way. It's all greens and yellows, with cringy falsettos, silly performative singing, trompettes, church organs, and cough, cough, cough.

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Fri Jun 03 2022
5

a real ringer on this list for me, just love it. Unique, incredible tunes, a medley to rival Abbey Road and one of the biggest hits of the '80s tossed on at the end. What's not to love?

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Sat Jul 30 2022
5

Great, fun album. It reminds me of the Irish comic,Sean Hughes, who was a big fan of ‘Come on Eileen’.

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Mon Aug 01 2022
5

Una especie de The Cure animado y trompetero. Opino lo mismo que con el otro disco: les compro el vinilo, va.

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Mon Oct 03 2022
5

5 This is my first favorite right out of the gate, I think. Upon first glance I didn’t think I knew anything on this album and it was such a party. Catchy and unique. Front to back I loved every single song and I will absolutely be buying on vinyl one day.

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Tue Dec 20 2022
5

Phenomenal record, glad that they’ve gotten to the point where a lot of people recognize them as great outside of just Eileen. Love this album.

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Sun Feb 05 2023
5

This band sounded oddly familiar and then "come on eileen" came on, which I don't think I've ever known the name of. I loved this album. Very energetic and full of personality. Catchy and danceable, too.

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Tue Feb 14 2023
5

COME ON EILEEN OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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Tue Feb 14 2023
5

I only know them for Come On Eileen but the intro track is very interesting. It's very much their sound but there's something intriguing about it. Something about the second track is giving me very much ska vibes and I really like it. Overall, this is one of my favorite albums that I've listened to so far. The different mix of instruments used makes it a really interesting listen.

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Thu Feb 23 2023
5

Really enjoyed this one! different than what i would typically listen to, but lots of fun songs, including Come on Eileen. Definitely would come back to this one.

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Sat Mar 04 2023
5

Come on Eileen is the worst song on this album!

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Thu Apr 13 2023
5

Love the qqqqqquirkyness of it!

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Wed May 17 2023
5

Plan B is incredible, maybe my new favorite by the group. Come on Eileen was the only track I had heard before, and the groups most well known song. Honestly it now sounds kind of out of place on the album. Still great as a single though.after come on Eileen the album starts to overstay it's welcome a bit.

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Thu Jun 01 2023
5

now i can say i know a song that isnt come on eileen and rightfully so because every song from instrumentals to vocals was just great

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Mon Jun 12 2023
5

First three albums of DMR are all five stars (10/10). This is album 2.

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Thu Jun 22 2023
5

New wave. Son los de Come On Eileen.

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Fri Sep 29 2023
5

I think this may be my favorite thing that I did not know (I mean, I knew Come on Eileen, but that was it) before the project. It is fun and a wonderful mash up of soul, punk and Irish music. Like nothing else. Will for sure return to it.

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Wed Dec 27 2023
5

12/26/23. I only knew the song Come On Eileen beforehand, but was pleasantly surprised with how fun and expansive this album is! A lot of blues and jazz influence, and I can bet some later work pulled a lot from this album. Adding this one to the top rotation.

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Fri Dec 29 2023
5

Great album. Loved the strings. More pop songs need strings

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Sun Feb 04 2024
5

8.5/10 - Why was he counting during the waltz piece. I know counting to 3 is tough but it is not necessary during a final recording. Also sadly not all of the pieces are on spotify since I really enjoyed Until I Believe In My Soul and Marguerita Time. Overall great album

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Fri Feb 09 2024
5

Big surprise to discover that the album is very beautyful beyond C'mon Aileen! 😍

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Thu Feb 22 2024
5

Great band. I’ve always been a big fan of Ken Rowland and the Dexys. Made a song that has crossed many generations. Glad to see this here.

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Sat Mar 16 2024
5

Favourite songs: Come on Eileen, Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile), The Celtic Soul Brothers (More, Please, Thank You), Let's Make This Precious, All in All (This One Last Wild Waltz), Liars A to E, Plan B, I'll Show You Least favourite songs: Love - Pt. 2 5/5

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Thu Apr 04 2024
5

New wave. Son los de Come On Eileen.

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Thu Apr 04 2024
5

Una especie de The Cure animado y trompetero. Opino lo mismo que con el otro disco: les compro el vinilo, va.

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Wed Mar 10 2021
4

Come on Eileen is a 10/10. Everything else is a 6 plus. So, 7/10 FT: need you ask?

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Thu Oct 08 2020
4

Surprisingly good album. Not just a one-hit wonder. The Van cover is good, and Until I Believe is great, too.

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Wed Sep 23 2020
4

"Come on Eileen" I had never heard any of the other songs.

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Thu Mar 04 2021
4

Got some classics on it, love the accents.

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Mon Jun 07 2021
4

Have a couple of listens. More to it than a one hit wonder. His voice sounds like a fun version of the cure. Interesting back story with all of the line up changes and affected image the main dude seems a bit of a control freak. And Dexy is a drug? Cool.

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Wed Apr 07 2021
4

I mean 'Come on Eileen' is a legendary song and this album is actually a bit of fun.

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Thu Mar 11 2021
4

I never really thought of them as a British band (having only ever heard Come on Eileen before), but they have a fun and consistent sound that occasionally reminded me of XTC.

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Wed Jan 27 2021
4

Fun! I should've listened to more of their songs after I loved Come On Eileen. That's still my favorite, but the rest has a similar fun vibe, fiddle part, and that great English singing voice.

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Sun Jan 24 2021
4

Full of big tunes and big horns Plan B, Liars A to E and Dubious are highlights

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Thu Feb 04 2021
4

A lot better than I thought it would be. And actually quite like Come on Eileen now, whereas before it annoyed me.

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Mon Apr 26 2021
4

A very good find, those strings do really belong there, even if the record drags a little it is outstanding

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Mon Mar 01 2021
4

I was listening to this album thinking I knew that voice, and that the music was good but nothing special until I heard it, this album is heavily carried by Come On Eileen, if it wasn't for that song the score would be lower, although I did appreciated how varied the instrumentation and the melodies were

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Mon Mar 01 2021
4

Good shit, me gustó la mezcla de sonidos

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Fri Feb 05 2021
4

Great album.One of my favourites from the 80s

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Wed Jul 14 2021
4

I thought they were one hit wonders but the rest of the album is very strong. Loved the strings and horns

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Fri Apr 09 2021
4

"First let's hear somebody sing me a record That cries pure and true No not those guitars, they're too noisy and crude The kind that convinces, refuses to leave" (Let's make this precious) "And you'll hum this tune forever" (Come on Eileen) HostiA QUÉ SORPRESA ESTE DISCO.

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Sun Jan 24 2021
4

Cool, fun album. Like the different strings and Celtic sounds. Pretty good Van Morrison cover in there - Jackie Wilson

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Tue Jul 20 2021
4

Completely unique sound, utilizing big band, banjo, some strings, it honestly feels like a nightmare to play live. But the studio album? Perfectly campy. A show within itself. Just a ton of fun. There's even a little refrain they do of the main melody at the end of "Old" as if they're changing the stage for side b, haha. Reminds me a little bit of Supertramp's Crime of the Century in it's framing and whatnot. I think it's a very well-done album, but something will always keep me from absolutely loving this big theatrical albums. No matter how good, it always comes up a little short. Oh, and Come On Eileen is the ultimate white-people jam, so credit for that.

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Thu Feb 18 2021
4

Loved this, nice bass, nice strings, vocals - everything. A real party record

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Sat Jun 19 2021
4

A well produced, fun pop album. Friday feels are real.

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Mon May 24 2021
4

Absolument dingue, Robwup je vais devoir te faire taire tes critiques musicales font honte à la France

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Mon May 24 2021
4

Great fun to tap and sing along to; could have done with some cuts towards the end.

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Sat Jul 17 2021
4

Really enjoyed listening to this. Come On Eileen is obviously the highlight, but it's actually a very cohesive album. Love the brass and woodwind in it. Can't believe Celtic Soul Brothers did not do as well as Come On Eileen, what a solid single

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Wed Jun 09 2021
4

Really dug it, thought the familiar one was coming around eventually and there it was with Come on Eileen

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Thu Jul 08 2021
4

one hit wonder with come on eileen, but the rest of the album is decent. i've always loved the guy's voice.

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Tue Jun 08 2021
4

Did not expect the band behind Come On EIllen to sound so dynamic.

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Fri Jun 04 2021
4

Enjoyed a lot more then I thought I would. I hear their influence in today alternative music

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Fri May 14 2021
4

First song's instrumentals starts off strong, sets up for the rest of the album. Goddamn nice accompaniments. Smooth. Come on Eileen is a classic.

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Fri May 28 2021
4

Great album! I haven´t heard it until yesterday. A lost jewell.

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