Too Rye Ay

Some nice rhythm but the folky bits and the vocals are a bit too much for me.

This one is close to my heart because it's my dads favourite band and favourite record in general i think. I've listened to it far more than anyone should have and there's some really nice songs on here. Something holds it back from being a 5

Dont know if some of this is reaction to the previous 3 albums, but this was a wonderful bit of light relief. Celtic Soul Brother was a great start and then to have both Jocky Wilson Said and Come On Eileen coming later. Yeah, it was a nice album. Not exceptional, but good enough. Dont think I would buy it, but you never can tell. Still, its got to be worth a 3 of anyones money.

Ah, the distinctive sound of Kevin and his nasally vocals. Not a fan of him or the repetitive sounds of the songs. I’m sure it’s just the same song played at slightly different speeds with slightly different horn arrangements. 1 x Dexys song is fun. 1 x Dexys album is a drag.

Is this the perfect party album? It probably was back in 1982. It was a fantastic year for music and I'm glad I was alive to appreciate listening to the charts on a shit radio. Their debut was a belter but this is on another level entirely, the album tracks are equal to the singles, how good is 'Old'? They can do the party and the melancholy just was well, which highlights the quality of the songwriting. When 'Come on Eileen' came on I nearly put my back out and nearly kicked the Telly. Not a good idea....

It has their biggest hit on here, but other than that for the life of me I cannot figure out why it would be on the list.

The album is a bit confusing. On Spotify it's 77 mins which I think is way too long esp when it's listed as being under an hour on other sites. Music was fun. Obviously I know two songs on here, but they were all likable.

++: The Celtic Soul Brothers (More, Please, Thank You), Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile), I'll Show You, Come On Eileen +: Let's Make This Precious, Liars A to E, Until I Believe in My Soul +-: Old, Plan B -: All in All (This One Last Wild Waltz) 6,0/10

This felt like a hidden gem as I think they are kind of considered one hit wonders. While his voice got a little annoying sometimes it was genuinely a really fun and well put together album and I enjoyed it.

TOO RA LOO RYE AY! Honestly? Even though they were called one hit wonders this album was a banger. Point docked for his voice getting annoying though, but I think that if I were to be listening to individual songs I wouldn't mind it so much.

1.5

Enjoy this a lot. Casual fan but I like their style 4/5

It’s a bit special and not unpleasant but lacks standouts. 5/10

this was interesting! Never heard this whole album, just Come On Eileen (ofc). But there's more fun to be had beyond that one giant hit. That said, it's basically impossible to hear this guy's voice and not JUST hear Come on Eileen. Fun weird celtic-pop with slight ska vibes? Ok!

Can’t believe I missed out on this hidden gem for so long. Come On Eileen is that song I became obsessed with the first time I heard it and then grew sick of when it became overplayed. Well, I wrongly assumed it’d be their only good song because this was fantastic and so fun. The gorgeous track ‘Old’ is my new favorite discovery. Let this be a reminder to look past the ‘one hit wonder’ reputation, you’ll never know what you’re missing out on. 4.5 Top tracks: Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile), Old, Liars A to E

There’s something here. Good in small doses.

holy MOLY TSOP! (THIS SHIT OP!!)

the rest of the album is just as good as come on eileen omfg 10/10 FUN!!!!!!!

Ignore Come On Eileen - this is actually delightful. Once you get used to Kevin Rowland's yelping ( easy enough for a Smiths fan) you can find some great music - Precious and Jackie Wilson are glorious and most of the other tracks are close. There's also a charm to the playing - fiddle notes are rough and raucous rather than smooth. Doesn't quite get to the level of a 5 but pretty close. Definitely a worthwhile listen.

Nice, but not I have to hear this before I die nice

Toto je príjemné počúvanie. Zabaví... 3a3/4...

Third and final Dexys. I listened to "Don't Stand Me Down" 226 albums ago, which I thought kind of sucked. The book wasn't doing them any favours either. If I'm remembering correctly, the group had more or less completely fractured by the time the album released, with critics and audiences jumping ship alongside them. It really beckons the question as to why the album was in there in the first place, which was why I pulled it from the list and replaced it with another album. Anyways, in good news I've seen this album cover before while perusing the Web, which suggests to me that this is likely their most popular release. Maybe there'll be a song or two in here that I recognise. Only one way to find out. Much Beatle-ier than I was expecting. I don't recall Dexys having this Gaelic-ska sound, nor were there any songs in here that I recognised. I'm middling-to negative in my assessment of this album. The songwriting is competent thanks to its aforementioned Beatle-iness and the rigid, stiff pianos are able to prop up much of this album as a result of their jumpy sound. However, the fundamental elements of this album - the Gaelic strings and very English vocals - both became quite grating after a while, and the album loses much of its focus as it nears the finish line. I'll chalk my lack of enthusiasm for this album up to it being quite gimmicky and English. Still, I suppose I didn't mind the first half of this album. Book time. Had a troubled production - much of the original Dexys lineup had split from the band following the release of their previous album. They also released a few non-album singles that failed to achieve any traction. In response to these troubles, the frontman of Dexys enlisted three violinists specialising in Irish music. The lead single of this album - "The Celtic Soul Brothers" - achieved humdrum success, which caused the horn instrumentalists to depart from the group (though they would later return as non-band musicians). Man, this band is in a perpetual state of collapse, huh? "Come On Eileen" was the band's final hope, which topped the charts in both the US and UK after a few weeks of stalling and became the most successful single of 1982 in the UK. The book entry closes out with "In retrospect, Too-Rye-Ay, with its fussy production and reliance on reworkings of old songs, is the worst of the three Dexy's albums; but if this is the worst album in your collection, pat yourself on the back." Hmm. Not a very persuasive way to close out your review. Wikipedia says this is Dexys' most successful release and was well-received by critics. It performed well in the nine countries where it charted, notably peaking at No. 14 in the US, No. 10 in Canada, No. 9 in the Netherlands and No. 2 in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. In New Zealand, the album was the fifth best-selling album of 1982. Hmm. This album was undeniably successful and the critics have generally been on Dexys' side, but what can I say? It isn't particularly influential or ambitious, and three list albums is just way too many for an artist of this standing. If this is the worst Dexys album by admission of the curator, then we can probably do with snubbing this one. Bye-bye. In place of this album, I humbly submit "Jolene" by Dolly Parton for inclusion on the list.

7/10

6/10 - a fun album which is more than come on Eileen

Surprisingly good, come on Eileen put me off ever listening to this back in the day. It’s really upbeat with a few dark undertones. Great to have on whilst working in the garden. Still love reading the merican music “experts” reviews about Dexys being a one hit wonder 😃

Entertaining. Even the tracks not called Come on Eileen... ;) The mixture of early 80's british angst, a little whininess, and a healthy dose of irish folk make for a fun trip and at least one song that will live in infamy. 3

I might have judged Dexys a bit too harshly last time. "Too Rye Ay" was a good album, albeit with some flaws. Those flaws are subjective, however; I'm not a big fan of folk-rock. The singles were good enough for me to give "Too Rye Ay" a good rating. I was pleasantly surprised when "Come On Eileen" came on. 3 stars for "Too Rye Ay".

I was expecting to get bored before the end but actually enjoyed it all the way through

I've listened a couple times before but honestly, the level of mastery on this thing. It's so interesting from start to finish. Truly wonderful.

No more dexy no more pleasr. Some better songs on this one especially I the first half but come on Eileen is a unredeemable contribution to humankind 2.5

nothing crazy but nothing bad either

Not sure how Plan B overstays its welcome at 5 minutes and Until I Believe In My Soul feels short at 7, but here we are. This is not a good sounding, well-mixed record. Kevin Rowland is no soul singer. All that said, the band is super tight, the instrumental arrangements are (mostly) all kinds of fun, and the energy is infectious. Come On Eileen is an all timer.

One or two decent songs

Come on Eileen is great but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the blend of pop and folk

The only reason people bought this album or is for Come On Eileen, a loud, annoying horn fest. The rest was forgettable.

Þetta er stuð. Góð plata og Come on Eileen er banger.

Mjög þægileg og góð plata. Vönduð tónlist. Elín náði því miður að gera þau að einssmellsundri.

4 out of 5. Always loved Come On Eileen and glad to have finally listened to the rest of this album.

A couple of crackers and a smattering of songs that I wasn't interested in, but on the whole this was pretty good It was more fun than the other Dexy's album in this list

*1982. English pop. *Really hokey early 80s pop. *Come on Eileen is the only good song here. And it's only 'good' because it's so fun and silly. *The other 'good' song is the last song "Reminisce," which is mostly spoken word, so you're mostly spared from the awful singing. Still incredibly cheesy though. *Bad cover of Jackie Wilson Said... *This is not good. RATING - 5/10

Може я до вокалу притерся, але другий альбом від гурту мені пішов краще. Подобається жанрова комбінація, місцями трохи по-доброму всрато.

Вже слухали цей гурт в рамках 1001 альбому, але я коли побачив обкладинку Too Rye Ay, то одразу згадав що колись цей альбом слухав. Пам'ять не підвела - знайшов пару скробблів аж у 2011му. Що сказати - знов класний британський поп-рок-альбом, блю айд соул, трохи фолку і оце все. Є прям хіти - перша пісня наприклад і звісно ж Come On Eileen. Коротше знов сподобалось, класний гурт.

the only good ska song is Haillie Sellasse, Up Your Ass that's my review of this album that isn't even really ska. I've got nothing else to say except that Come On Eileen sucks.

Two of the funniest moments of this exercise were when I got a Dexys album for the first time and it didn’t have Come On Eileen and I thought “Oh wow these guys have two albums on here??”, and when I got a second one and it also didn’t have Come On Eileen. Anyway my review for Too Rye Ay is: this is the one that had Come On Eileen on it.

I’ve demonstrated my relative ignorance of UK radio rock, but I can say this album sounds more like a joyful collision of ska and pub rock than any I’ve heard. I confess I only knew “Eileen” (the cheekiest song ever?) but I’d listen to this again as a pick-me-up, in a playlist with Op Ivy, Joe Jackson, and Less Than Jake. If you could give half-scores here I’d give 3.5. Too rah loo rah yay!

I've always wondered, in a one hit kinda way, what happened to the Midnight Runners. And for that matter, who was Dexy? But quite the fun song.

Kinda good, but like too much swingy.

no notes

Bit of a caterwauling but at least on key.

Expected to hate it, wasn't so bad. I love when a songwriter has an idea and just executes it. Might not be my cup of tea per se, but you just know that Rowland had a vision and did it. Very unique album too. Best bit for me was around the 2.50 mark in ”Until I believe in my soul” where you hear ”aw you must be fucking joking”.

Tedious two star Too Rye Ay.

I remember complaining that these guys managed to squeeze onto this list with both Searching For The Young Soul Rebels and Don't Stand Me Down. Dexys Midnight Runners are one-hit wonders. I stand by my complaint. Too Rye Ay bears the best case for its inclusion. It's roughly as good as the others, except it contains the infectiously catchy Come On Eileen The Celtic Soul Brothers is a great peppy way to introduce newcomers to the pop-folk genre. Great strings, cool (what I think is an) accordion. Let's Make This Precious is significantly weirder, most notably featuring some incredibly goofy, punk-like, inebriated vocals. It's all so theatrical and overdone though, particularly with the horns and Klezmer-type mood, that I can't help enjoying it somewhat unironically. All In All is similar in terms of excessive showmanship, arguably taking it a little too far to the extreme. Not a big fan of either the lead or the backing vocals here. The brief fiddle solo in the middle singlehandedly carries the song. Jackie Wilson Said is pretty good; vaguely reminiscent of Elvis, the Four Seasons, and other 50s pop – and possibly even more reminiscent of knock-offs of those eras, like Queen's Man On The Prowl. If you ignore the yodelly vocals, though, it's honestly great. Side 1 ends with the dramatic, string-and-horn-heavy Old – completely unmemorable in terms of hooks/melodies, but enjoyable nonetheless. The fadeout/fadein is pretty bizarre though. I do like Plan B, though as with several earlier tracks, all of the vocals individually are quite bad. Not memorable at all, either. I'll Show You is simply better, kind of taking inspiration from glam rock with the overall textures and vocal delivery. (Actually, I think the singing has been pretty samey throughout the album. It's the surrounding instrumentation that changes.) At this point I'm looking for at least one ballad to balance out the persistent peppiness, and Liars A To E vaguely does that. The key word being vaguely. Kind of reads like an ABBA tune, too, especially with those smooth, expressive backing vocalists. Going into the penultimate track, I was wary of seven minutes of DMR, but they pull it off pretty convincingly. Sort of a medley between balladesque folk-rock and (unexpectedly) double-time swing jazz. Spoiler: there's a jumpscare or two in the final minute. But all is made completely moot with Come On Eileen appended to the end. Goofy, bubbly, lighthearted, and ridiculously catchy – certainly enough to let you forget DMR's past crimes. In all honesty though, this isn't much better than their other records, so it gets a strong 3. 3/5 Key tracks: The Celtic Soul Brothers, Jackie Wilson Said, Come On Eileen

It's fine

This was fun to get a larger sense of these guys, though they haven't won me over. Also, the cover album was rough.

This is the album with come on eileen, some other pretty good stuff here but nothing special, kinda cool celtic rock

I found this to be more enjoyable and superior to the first DMR album on this list. I would return for this one. Aside from Come On Eileen, which I was very familiar with, the tracks made you move and the layering/performances were interesting. Borderline 5 star, but I'm going with 4.

If I had seen this band live at a pub, I'd probably be raving about their great energy, how awesome the fiddle player was, how much fun they were having. Never mind that I couldn't understand half of the singer's words. They made that night a party. It doesn't translate on tape, sadly. And it mostly sounds the same over and over again.

Entirely held up by Come On Eileen

Come on Eileen is such a good song! Good album!

Come On Eileen is such a banger. The rest I could take or leave.

Klinkt alsof hij een achterstand heeft.

I listened to the 2022 mix of this

More ska than expected, which was alright. Van Morrison cover was absolutely not needed. A lot of these songs are rather unimpressive- production is sort of flat, singing doesn't really elevate the (often too chipper) material. However, the "title track?" that everyone knows is one of the greatest 80s songs ever.

In the grand scheme of things, Come On Eileen makes sense being on this album. I feel like the rest of the songs on the album were quite out there (think theatrically). Having this on in the background was okay - nothing stood out either which way, however.

Here's another album that's got one big hit that kind of blows the rest of the songs out of the water, although there's still some pretty good stuff here. The horns aren't bad and, even though the rest of this kind of blurs together there are some pretty fun tracks beyond the major single, like "Show Me." To my American ears it is a charmingly British album, almost humorously so. Favorite track: "Come On Eileen," the instrumental "Dubious"

It's like if The Cure had 70% less talent but still got lucky enough to write a hit.

Du ska dynamique qui s'écoute bien

Top ! Je connaissais « Come on eileen », un classique

Très sympa avec des classiques comme Come On Eileen

Of course come on Eileen is stone cold, reason kids today are still playing it like it was new way back then. Surprising thing from this list though has been how much I have got from their other stuff, the other album on here too. Taken me a while but definitely a fan 4 Star

While Come on Eileen carries this album to its heights its still a killer album in its own right. I did listen to the 2022 remaster in order to get all the tracks correct on Spotify. Great listen and would gladly listen to this again.

Delightfully weird northern soul from a band that was going to be pop on their own terms regardless of what anyone thought. Knowing nothing about the rest of their work I feel like they're an adventure, and this album definitely wanders into forgettable territory at times. But in a sea of music in an era where manufactured sound was in vogue, it's refreshing to hear a band refusing to play by anyone's rules.

Nice to listen to driving to work. Too good to be a 3, not quite a 4. I’ll give it the bump because I forgot how great Let’s Make This Precious is.

I've never heard a full Dexys album until now, and, man, they were a weird band. "Come On Eileen" is a quintessential 80s song, but the album doesn't feel like it comes from the 1980s (it reminds me more of the stuff I listened to during the mid-2000s). As overplayed as it is, though, "Come On Eileen" also works well in context to the rest of the album as the closer. This is especially so when you've heard "Plan B" and "Until I Believe In My Soul" before it. The album also feels like a loose concept album, too, whether that was intentional or not. Celtic soul - very strange, but my kind of strange. (5/5)

Surprised me with how good it was, but there was still some dead time in the album. The good ones are good though.

I hadn't heard of Dexys Midnight Runners before, even though I naturally recognized “Come On Eileen” (like everyone who grew up on this side of the moon). Up until now, albums around the one-hit wonders of the 1980s have tended to be rather disappointing, but “Too Rye Ay” is definitely worth listening to in its entirety: folk-influenced, at times even swinging pop-rock (in their own words, “Celtic Soul”) with varied arrangements, produced to a professional standard. Opinions will likely always be divided on Kevin Rowland’s sometimes rather over-the-top voice, and I, too, waver between enthusiasm and cringing. Nevertheless, as mentioned, I recommend listening to this album in its entirety at least once in your life - so it rightfully belongs on this list.

Massive hit in this album with Come on Eileen. but the rest is kind of whatever.

Turns out there was a whole album behind “Come On Eileen” (which I skipped because 40+ years later, I’ve still heard it enough). Too-Rye-Ay would probably hit harder touring the Irish countryside in search of fiddlers and tiny village pubs than sitting in a corporate office without a Guinness in reach. 3 stars, rounded up because “Jackie Wilson Said” is genuinely excellent. 🍺🎻

Good album. They sound like a really fun bar band. Very energetic and well played.

So close to being a 4/5, but everything felt just a little too long.

Come on Eileen is a banger but otherwise it was just OK.

This was fun!

## In-Depth Review: Dexys Midnight Runners – Too-Rye-Ay (1982) *Too-Rye-Ay* is an album defined by a singular, audacious gamble. After establishing a fierce, horn-driven Northern Soul sound with their debut, *Searching for the Young Soul Rebels*, frontman Kevin Rowland orchestrated a radical reinvention. He replaced the band, swapped the horns for fiddles and banjos, and created a wildly ambitious, polarizing, and ultimately timeless fusion of Celtic folk, country-soul, and working-class sentiment that would define a moment in pop history, for better and worse . ### Lyrics and Themes: Nostalgia, Lust, and the Working-Class Spirit The lyrical content on *Too-Rye-Ay* is a significant departure from the raw urgency of their debut, leaning heavily into themes of romance, nostalgia, and defiance . This is best exemplified by the album's monolithic hit, "Come On Eileen." The song's lyrical core is a masterclass in juxtaposition—opening with a heartfelt homage to the melancholic 1950s singer Johnnie Ray before pivoting to a narrative of adolescent lust and longing, "verging on dirty," set against a backdrop of a drab, resigned working-class town . Rowland’s narrator is an aspirational figure, declaring, "We are far too young and clever" to be beaten down by their fate . This theme of identity and pride in one's roots is a running thread. The title track, "The Celtic Soul Brothers," functions as a manifesto, explicitly declaring the band's hybrid DNA—a love for American soul music filtered through their Celtic heritage . Elsewhere, a song like "Old" finds Rowland grappling with societal and personal expectations, while the album's title itself is a phonetic play on the Irish expression "Toora loora loora," grounding the entire project in a deliberate Celtic aesthetic. ### Music and Production: A "Wonky Pop Masterpiece" The musical shift is the most dramatic and debated aspect of *Too-Rye-Ay*. The album is anchored by the piercing, poignant sound of fiddles (courtesy of Helen O'Hara and The Emerald Express), giving the songs a distinctly Celtic flavor . This instrumentation provided the perfect canvas for Rowland's distinctive, hyper-passionate vocal delivery—a yelping, "abnormal cadence" that could be described as "insane in the best way" . - **The Sound:** Songs like "Come On Eileen" fuse this folk influence with a stomping, rock-and-roll rhythm, creating an anthemic, joyful sound that is impossible to resist . The album is full of "infectious melodies and instrumental passages" and is described as a "ridiculously joyful, brass-soaked, Celtic-soul dancefest" . - **The Production:** The production, helmed by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley along with Rowland, aimed for an "old soul revue" quality . However, its legacy is complicated. Rowland himself has expressed dissatisfaction with the original mixes, describing them as "jarring" and inferior to the band's other work, leading to a 2022 remix titled *Too-Rye-Ay 'As It Should Have Sounded'* . This suggests the original production, while energetic, might have lost some of the intended subtleties in its harder edge . ### Influence and Legacy: A Blessing and a Curse *Too-Rye-Ay* was a critical and commercial phenomenon, chiefly due to "Come On Eileen," which became a number-one hit on both sides of the Atlantic . However, this success came at a cost. In the U.S., the band was largely branded a one-hit wonder, a "millstone" that overshadowed their broader artistic ambitions and the rest of a strong album . Despite this, the album has grown in stature. It is now recognized as a "great pop album, an unconventional, trailblazing, wonky piece of art" and a "career-defining" statement that remains one of the key statements in 1980s pop music . Its influence is evident in its singular fusion of genres, a sound so unique it has no true contemporary. --- ## Pros and Cons ### 👍 Pros of *Too-Rye-Ay* | Aspect | Description | | :--- | :--- | | **Genre-Defying Innovation** | The blend of Celtic folk, country-soul, and Northern Soul was a risky but brilliant move that created a totally unique and influential sound . | | **Infectious Energy** | The album is packed with relentless energy. The instrumentation and Rowland's passionate, yelping vocals make for a supremely joyful and danceable listening experience . | | **"Come On Eileen"** | A genuinely perfect, era-defining pop song. Its catchy melody, clever lyrics, and soaring chorus are masterful . | | **Strong Deep Cuts** | Tracks like "Let's Make This Precious," "Plan B," and "Liars A to E" are praised for holding their own and showcasing the band's songwriting depth . | ### 👎 Cons of *Too-Rye-Ay* | Aspect | Description | | :--- | :--- | | **Patchy Consistency** | Despite its strong singles, some critics feel the album is "patchy" and that some tracks lack the focus and punch of the band's debut . | | **The "One-Hit Wonder" Shadow** | The massive success of "Come On Eileen" has unfairly overshadowed the rest of the album, often reducing it to a one-hit nostalgia trip . | | **Rowland's Dissatisfied Production** | Kevin Rowland himself has been vocal about his dislike for the original mixes, arguing they don't sound as good as his other work, which affected his original vision . | | **Musical Cohesion** | Some listeners find the "quasi-folk, faux soul blend" a bit jarring or less "cool" than the raw soul of the band's earlier work, making it a less cohesive listen for die-hard Northern Soul fans . |

I’m not sure how many different instruments this band has but they definitely use them all. Which helps every song sound different. Come On Eileen is the smash hit. This is a very fun listen.

Quite enjoyable album and not what I was expecting based on the album art (depressed country maybe?). The vocals were solid and overall the composition of the songs flowed well.

AKA the one with Come on Eileen. I liked the string and brass combination but I did find this quite grating at times. I can’t put my finger on it exactly… maybe I just find Kevin Rowland annoying. The fact it was re-released as by Kevin Rowland and Dexy’s would back that up.

Someone else put it far more eloquently than I could: “The guy nobody really wanted at the party, waiting for a high five, hand in the air, for over an hour.”

J'ai bien aimé le snippet instrumental de 30 secondes à la fin de Old.

This morning, on my way to work, I got into the car with an exceptionally bad mood. Listening to this album did not improve the mood in the slightest. It sounds like an alternative version of the Cure if they all took their happy pills. Not for me this album.

alright

Dexys got their signature look after spending a weekend at Len Houmous’ house. 4.3 12/15 Dubious

After hearing Don't Stand Me Down already, I was apprehensive about this but it's a much more enjoyable album than the one which followed. I like the folky style, and there are several highlights aside from the obvious one, the opener and Van Morrison covers were nice tracks too

impassioned, reaching for the stars, deeply felt, uplifting beautiful soul music

Excellent album. Love it.

Peter Barrett is a well established cover designer even if this is not an award winner, Andrew Ratcliffe is a painter. There are some really nice images on his website. This one isn't included. Kevin Roland and Dexys made this album. Why its on the 1001 baffles me.

I hear some ska elements, even before Come on Eileen

Liked this more than I thought I would. Also Come On Eileen is an ear worm.

Pretty decent album! Only really knew come on Eileen but the rest of the album wasn't half bad

Come on Eileen is a fun reminder of the 80s. As for the rest of this.........A generous 2. because Come on Eileen makes me smile. If not for the song, for the time.

This website has a knack for recommending one hit wonders and then knocking me out of the park with a surprise. Too Rye Aye was one of the most wacky listens I've heard on the list, and it sure never bored me start to finish. An aspect to dwell on first would be the interesting vocal approach, which surprisingly I really like. Kevin Rowland's yiddish style makes the album very entertaining, and it's very fitting for the material I'd say. Every song is packed with versatile instruments and orchestrations, sporting whimsy and silliness while also exploring emotional bridges to credit the genius of the band. Of course Come On Eileen is one of my favorite songs of all time, but these other tracks are 100% up to par with it. Essentially, it doesn't stick out awkwardly in quality which was what I expected the album to be like. The folky horn jams in the back of the album are also insane. This album could definitely be shorter, but it's never boring. Not my cup of tea to say but it was a fun listen.

I had never listened to this album in full, and overall, it’s fine. It is certainly buoyed by an outstanding single, Come On Eileen. But did I think its worth adding physically, unfortunately no.

Ugh

Upbeat horns and fiddles and warbling voice. I liked the more instrumental songs like Dubious and ...T.S.O.P. Come On Elieen is a classic. 3.5 rounded up. "And you'll hum this tune forever" = ominous.

The music is almost the definition of pop: a catchy riff, repeated over and over and over and over and over until the song ends. Which is not to say that some of the riffs aren't good and the choice to include strings on this album was a good one, but the repetition, combined with his singing style makes it a bit tiresome after a while. Still fun in smaller doses though.

One of those albums that are probably just fine (wouldn’t be on this list if they weren’t, surely?) but which I personally get absolutely nothing out of and have no reasons to ever return to.

To think for the longest time I thought these guys only had that one song. This was great.

Love the in your face energy. Cracking horns and violins. I though i was way over Come on Eileen but loved it every time it came on (I've had this album on/off for the past week). Not the biggest fan of Kevin's vocals. Enjoyed a lot. Was going to score a 4 but just flicked through the tracks and I think it squeaks a 5.

Too-Rye-Aye Come on Eileen has clearly been hammered to death, and that has probably stopped me from listening to this album properly, even if I’m aware of a few of the other songs. Stripping back all the baggage around Come on Eileen it is an excellent song, combining the British, brummified Northern Soul of their first album with the Celtic fiddle and Gaelic folk influence Rowland wanted to introduce, to relentlessly catchy effect. This is also successfully evident on the excellent The Celtic Soul Brothers, All in All, Old, and the soulful Liars A to E. I also really love Precious and the cover of Jockie Wilson Said. Until I Believe in My Soul should be a classic, the yearning, organ driven verses and backing vocals are great, as is the chorus, but I really hate the jazzy breakdown, it really undercuts the rest of the song. I love the idiosyncratic oddness of Don’t Stand Me Down and their first album is excellent, but this is also great, one that I have been mistakenly avoiding for too long. I don’t think it quite reaches the heights of the first album, and as always Kevin Rowland is an acquired taste, but I thoroughly enjoyed this, putting it at a solid 4. 🎻🎻🎻🎻 Playlist submission: The Celtic Soul Brothers

Following up from their excellent debut, this feels much the same thing, with added fiddle. They've turned up the poppy, upbeat edge to boot, and have restrained the brass a little, without losing Dexy's character. The opening couple of tracks are excellent; some of that continuing Northern Soul feel, punctuated superbly by the horns, and now strings. 'Liars A to E' is a little too plodding however but this is a small niggle - and this is just as good as the first album with the added bonus of the monumental singles.

Gonna be real I was going through some really shitty stuff when I heard this album so I think that clouds my judgement, but it was still a really solid listen. Not every day when the one hit wonder band actually has a lot of other really good songs. I love the bizarre mix of soul and folk in this.

maybe this is actually awesome but to me it was a bit boring

Oh gosh I really enjoyed this. Lived in music with character, soul and breathing room. Familiar but utterly unique, full hearted and clever and gorgeous. I will be listening to this a lot more.

(i can't stand listening to them, but I wholly appreciate that they're skilled musicians who put something lively out there)

Had their third album on this list only a week ago and it was terrible. This was an improvement and felt way less pretentious.

dunno what it's like in the states but over her, Come on Eileen is a national anthem, a true dancefloor filler. You could be at a dead gig, the tailend of a wedding, or even a full-on breakbeat dnb set at 3am at a festival and I promise that if you drop this absolute bop, there will be scenes. I'm not sure what to compare it with in USA, I know you guys don't really like to have fun but I'm sure there's something - maybe Kid Rock or Elliot Smith or something Rest of this album shows they aren’t a one tricky pony. Some good vibes throughout. Wish the vocals were louder in the mix though. 6.5 / 10

Ale banger

I bet this would be a really fun band in a bar. Eileen is a classic, the rest is fun but unremarkable.

never heard other songs than come on eileen. cool to made that experience! blended all well together. just not my cup of tea...

Come on Eileen is obviously great, the rest didn't stick out to me (except Marguerita Time).

You've gotta wait for the big hit here! Pretty odd flow before that, very English and brassy, fast and slow songs, etc. The fill wasn't the greatest and kind of made me a bit impatient. "Come on Eileen" couldn't really carry this album for me as a result. Not the worst thing I've ever heard, but Kevin Rowland's vocals certainly take some getting used to...

I was already struggling hard with this and then Come On Eileen came on, one of the most obnoxious songs of all time.

the second and most successful album released by english pop rock group dexys midnight runners. after their first album, members of the band essentially wanted a restructure, refreshing both their ways of songwriting and their instrumentation techniques; one big addition to the sound ended up being fiddles. the group is english but their sound is VERY irish. this album's big hit "come on eileen" has been replayed again and again on classic pop radio airwaves. this sound, yeah... it's crazy good. a big european poppy hoedown, that's what this sounds like to me. soul is a genre that doesn't seem to get channeled too often in golden age new wave music, but when it does, at least with these guys? this is a sound that's REALLY good. i guess it calls back to what i said about the song blasting on the radio... it's one of those albums where you could play it on the shittiest, crunchiest boombox and it's still going to be loud and amazing.

mas vibe argentina 1982 de lo que uno pensaría

Come on Eileen looms large over this album, coming at the very end, hovering like a strange relative at the edge of the dancefloor at a wedding. Like Uncle Bryan busting out a move I wasn't really looking forward to it. Some decent fun songs but jeez, I'm fed up of hearing THAT song.

Good rock/pop music

3/5

It's alright. I'm becoming more certain in my long held assumption that popular music from the 80s was really bad. Too much new wave and ska for me.

It was fun

Seems like they’d be a blast to watch in a pub.

Much better than I expected. I’d give it another go

Outside of Come On Eileen, this album is just okay

obvious one hit wonder but a unique listen and subgenre of new wave

Ok, but too long, too jaunty

Classic

Rubbish

Definitely feels like this was included on the strength of one song, and Come On Eileen is more annoying than good if we're being brutally honest. I really can't get on with the production (surprise, surprise, early 80s again) and the style of vocals, plus the Irish strings thing may be somewhat interesting but it's not something I'm coming back to listen to again. I do appreciate some changes of tempo and bits of catchy melody but only as minor redeeming features. Not for me.

7/10

5/10… 2-tone / 80s pop / *1982

Rare one-hit-wonder where the other songs are also fun. Nothing nearly as good obviously but that's a 6 star song. He's got such a great voice and the traditional instruments mean that this mercifully does not sound like it's from 1982.

Come on Eileen is definitely the star of the show on this album. My grandma's name was Eileen so I've had a weird interaction with that song over the years. The rest of the album was pretty good. I didn't think I'd listen to it again but I definitely didn't hate it and didn't want to skip any tracks.

Strong 4!

Can't get past the constipated singing voice. It completely ruins any enjoyment I might have otherwise gotten from the music.

'Too-Rye-Ay' is a rare example of putting your hit single last on your album. The rest of the album is all right and filled with Irish ditties but nothing beats coming on Eileen. Top tracks: "Come on Eileen," "The Celtic Soul Brothers (More, Please, Thank You)," "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)"

falls off after the song about jizz

--The Celtic Soul Brothers (More, Please, Thank You)...fun bop --Let's Make This Precious...horns elevate it. horns elevate everything. ripping back half --All in All (This One Last Wild Waltz)...don't love the song but I appreciate that Kevin Rowland always goes for it. theater kid energy (complimentary) --Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)...another fun bop. bass/vocals/horns come together real nice --Old...we slow things down a bit. I usually appreciate a change of pace but this doesn't work for me. Rowland's voice works better when things are more upbeat --Plan B...bombastic in a Jim Steinman way. I love Jim Steinman --I'll Show You...we got a raucous jam goin'! --Liars A to E...now we get backup singers? Rowland knows how to tug my strings. love the build up to the climax --Until I Believe in My Soul...KRow, you shine on, you crazy diamond --Come On Eileen...classic

Never heard this great

Obviously we're all here for Come on Eileen but the rest of the album isn't terrible. Not anything that I would come back to often either, just a kind of pleasant album with one super famous song on it

Odotukset eivät olleet korkealla, koska en pitänyt edellisestä kuulemastani Dexysin levystä. Mutta tämähän oli oikeasti ihan pätevä levy. Etenkin viulut ja puhallinsoittimet kuulostivat kivalta.

A shockingly very consistent and fun album. Obviously Come on Eileen is the standout song here, but there is great songs throughout the album. There are a couple of songs I didn't really like, such as: Until I Believe In My Soul, or anything that came after Come On Eileen, but besides that this album is pretty fun. High 4!

Back in the day, I didn't like Dexys Midnight Runners. But, my main exposure was "Come On Eileen" which was played ten times per day for years. Also, on the video they looked like they smelled of bacon grease and corn nuts. There was no way they were wearing underwear under those overalls. Anyway, this album isn't too bad. It has some lovely, happy music and there is a nice variation of sound.

As someone who is lukewarm on Come On Eileen at best, I was putting off listening to this for a long time. As expected almost none of it worked for me and I couldn’t get through it. RYM: N Saved a song: N

Too-Rye-Ay roars out of the gate with a couple of boisterous new wave tunes, filled with big horns. There's a little XTC in them with all of the energy and how Rowland's vocals sound a bit like Andy Partridge's. The energy lifts a bit after those songs, and the album starts to sound like more of a typical new wave album. There is some Celtic folk flair, with fiddles, harmonicas, and banjos, but it never takes over the songs, instead just providing accents. "Until I Believe in My Soul" is an ambitious multi-part song, which is interesting but doesn't quite work for me. And of course there's "Come On Eileen," which is a great catchy song but not an all-timer for me. There's some great material here but the bulk of the album is just fine.

If I saw this happening in the back of a bar, I'd wind up drinking too much Guinness and staying until I was kicked out. To.put it on as an album, never my first choice.

ive never considered them beyond poor Eileens bukkake party. It seems that i knew more songs that i realised and their music sensibility shines through. This is a really consistent album that is well made, full of heart and well played. For some reason i can't put my finger on i couldnt warm to it though. Maybe its the vocal, maybe its my general sceptism of the 80's.

Come On Eileen is a world class party hit, of course. The other songs are pretty mediocre..

Loved the violin and backup singers on this. Main vocals were eh. The back half was a bit better for sure. Favorite Track: Come On Eileen - This song is so good, there's a reason it's the one that popped off. That bridge at the end is outstanding.

Oh yeah, the "Come On Eileen" band! The rest of the album feels like a band trying on the big shoes of a global market and failing to fill them. They might have been local sweethearts in the Midlands, but in the States and worldwide, they're mostly a one-hit wonder. The Celtic Soul thing feels weak and overdone for its impact, and the whole thing is forgettable. Sorry Rowland, this is a swing and a miss. My Rating: 2/5

Es el sonido de una banda que convierte la emoción en fiesta y la calle en un salón de baile, si quieres subir el estado de animo lo recomiendo.

It has that one good song...

OK. 2/5

Kevin Rowland's antecedents are obvious: the UK music-hall tradition (aka the stuff John Lennon used to disparage as "Paul's granny music"), *Young Americans*-esque blue-eyed soul, a sprinkling of ska in the form of horns and 2/4 time signatures, a very thin sheen of punk in that he's expressive as a singer rather than good technically. The strong parts of this are really strong - "Come On Eileen," obviously, but also the insightful and empathetic "I'll Show You" and a fun cover of Van Morrison's "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)" - and there's an appealing sense of play throughout. But the sprawl of this album is sprawling to the point of being unfocused, and too many of the lyrics are too abstract to really land. I can see a universe in which it lands more deeply for me but I'm not there now.

Come On Eileen: for JMU nursing classmate Allison and her Filipino roommate Arleen

Wow, 15 songs big band horns, early 80’s bass lines, care free times before Reagan …awesome effort! Loved it

Very up beat and well executed for the time period, full of energy and rich instrumentation which makes you want to get up and dance. Not an album I personally would revisit anytime soon but a great appreciation for the work as a whole.

Ok.

Last Dexys album for my group, so it's fitting we got the one with the Big Hit on it. The rest of the album is also pretty good as well. Solid 4 Stars.

I’m at a 5. Well, I wasn’t expecting to have that much fun with a Dexys album; this is the last time we’ll get them, & I knew this was the one with “Come On Eileen”, but the past track record of these guys has suggested at least one general flaw to an album experience that would’ve sunk this down a bit. In this case, I can find almost none; Kevin’s vocal work is clear as day here, avoiding the incomprehensible woes of “Searching for the Young Soul Rebels”, along with that album’s tendencies to let its tracks hang on a bit too long. For as much as I appreciated the take on a more beige soundscape on “Don't Stand Me Down”, coming back to a fully realized & fleshed out version of the ska-leaning tones on their first album felt extremely refreshing, especially with the addiction of further Celtic elements & a proper big band brass section that REALLY accentuate the energy in each track. Put all of those together, and you get a really strong 40 minutes that, while it does occasionally meander or feel a bit one-note, survives off of more than just the infectious vibes of their first album. This is an album that can ride just as strongly on its lyrics as well; some decently simple concepts, but sung in a way that feels like a search for validation, whether it’s professionally, from the bandmates who left after this album’s recording, from the people in his past he wants to prove wrong, or validation in his relationships. Each track here feels like it’s expressing a desire & looking for someone to ensure that he reaches that desire, and that definitely includes “Come On Eileen”, given what the track is about. He’s able to take that base desire & lift it up in ways that go hand-in-hand with the band’s instrumental energy, creating a sort of feverish swirl on most of the tracks that just keeps everything about this album a bit more captivating than the other 2 on the list. The only one that didn’t fully click for me was “Plan B”, if only because it just feels a bit too cryptic compared to everything else. Besides that, there’s really not a miss here, and even with “Plan B” not clicking too well, I’d still argue this is a no-skip album on account of the seamless transition to the more focused “I’ll Show You”, making those tracks fit together in a solid way. Outside of the obvious big hit, I think my favorite one here is probably “Liars A to E” – something about the Beatles-y tone to it & the underlying theme of crumbling leadership just struck me well from a storytelling standpoint. As a whole though, it’s a really cohesive album, and one that I do think everyone should listen to before they die. It’s a pretty easy 5 for me, and I’m glad it got saved for last among the three Dexys albums here.

Boy, these guys really got lucky with Come on Eileen.

Love the song structure, come on Eileen is a great song, but their too maximalist for my taste, maybe too try hard.

Obviously, approaching this album i already heard "Come On Eileen", and perhaps i knew no other song on this album would approach that kind of level, but this surely surprised me. "Too Rye Ay" is catchy, energetic, made me want to stand up and dance almost at every chorus. Kevin Rowland's voice is spot on for this kind of sound, really loved his delivery. With that said, this album can feel very one-dimensional after the first half (not that i got bored of this, but i would understand someone who might) and it's very tempting to lift the needle before arriving at the grand finale, which needs no introduction.

Took me until halfway thru this album to realize Dexy was an early pop aka punk band. 2.5

Some great tunes and love the celtic influence.

I wasn't really sure what to expect with this album. Seeing "Come On Eileen" but not knowing any other song from the band makes me think they're a one hit wonder. And that also means I don't really know what their other music will sound like. But this is pretty true to the same style as their big hit. And unfortunately, it doesn't really break out of the one-hit wonder bucket. The album is fine. Come On Eileen is still an incredible song, but the rest isn't really that. It's not baaaaaad, but I don't think I needed to listen to this. Favorite Song(s): Come On Eileen

1. celtic - 1 2. preciouz - 2 3. all - 1 4. jackie - 1 5. plan - 1 6. zhouu - 1 7. liarz - 0 8. eileen - 3 9. dubiouz - 1 10. ztop - 1

Good album. Gets a bit too much hate (but that Simpsons joke about them is still fucking hilarious). It’s just a fun 80’s new wave album, and I like 80’s new wave.

Is Eileen okay with this?

I struggle to understand what people find so compelling about this band. I suppose, in the context of the post-2 Tone soul revival, this music probably felt somewhat refreshing in the early 80s. And the singer has character (like a pinched, less interesting version of Robert Smith). But to me it is incredibly boring and dorky.

4 Enjoyed this, only knew come on Eileen before, like most people I'd think, but the whole album was a pleasant surprise

songwriting isn't particularly notable but the instrumentation and vocal performance are enough to keep it from getting stale.

This is just another textbook example of an album following the trope of "a bunch of boring nonsense nobody cares about just for the one really famous song to be right at the end." For what it's worth, I do think that Come On Eileen is a good song, a great song in fact. It's just overplayed as hell and it's just not worth having to sit through the entire rest of the album to get there. If the other songs were more interesting I could easily have genuinely really liked this, but I just can't look past how generic it is except for literally one song.

★½

uptempo nummers zijn redelijk... de trage zijn ronduit slecht

pretty obnoxious. who tf asked for celtic soul music im good bro. aside from the 1 song everyone knows from this album this is not worth checking out

Standouts Come on Eileen Dubious

I started listening to this album shortly after it came out. I have always loved it so I guess I’m not an impartial rater. At this point, I’m not sure if I like it because it’s great music or I’m just used to it

Fun and poppy and a good cover of a Van Morrison song. I usually like my singers who over-sing constantly to actually have a nice singing voice. That wasn't my favorite part

This album would be good if they cut it in half and played come on Eileen twice. Otherwise, way too long and way too repetitive.

They crawled so Pulp could fly.

good songs nice album just before Kevin went on the road to insanity

Favorite Track: Come On Eileen

really liked this at first; great instrumentals and a kind of fun voice. sadly i grew tired of it (especially the voice, but i think the style got a little bit repetitive too) after 5-6 songs

Pretty cheesy. Come On Eileen is okay.

Celtic pop blue eyed soul band known for "Come On Eileen". They're interesting because of singer Kevin Rowland's voice and large use of horns and strings. His voice is dramatic similar to Freddie Mercury and Danny Elfman. Come On Eileen is still a great song but there are also other good ones on this album.

Easily the best of the Dexys albums on this list. There is too many of them.

Mitreißend, originell, gehört zu 100% in diese Liste.

I'm not sure what I expected when I clicked play but what I got was a pop masterpiece. Wow!

Some of the songs on here really annoyed me, but there’s some more delightful ones that I enjoyed. Plus it’s got Come On Eileen which is a classic so it gets a point for that.

It's a fun album with a big hit. Solid 3/5.

Come on Eileen jumpscare

I’ve never heard more than Come on Eileen from Dexy’s Midnight Runners. This was a very pleasant surprise. I guess I like Irish soul / Celtic rock! Will put this one in regular rotation.

Well that was fun but how much Dexys does this list really need?

It was ok

Aw I loved Come On Eileen growing u- ONE HOUR AND SEVENTEEN MINUTES?

look man. sometimes the one hit wonder's a one hit wonder for a reason. yes i already watched the "one hit wonderland" on come on eileen. lighting in a bottle they attempt to recapture 9 times. more AOR than previously thought. call them Brighton. more than a feeling, innit. 2.3-2.5.

Enjoyed this much more than I expected based on pre-judging the band by the dungarees thing. Apparently they were more into New Romantic-style flamboyant dressing, but got so much abuse for it that Kevin Rowland decided to go for something a bit more down to earth! This makes sense listening to Too Rye Ay - it seems at least as much aligned with art rock/pop like Sparks as it is with a more Celtic sound.

A very British album. Bit like The Pogues but poppier and more soulful. Just reminds me of an evening at the pub. Don’t think this is my cup of tea but it took me down a rabbit hole of Northern Soul music which is appreciated.

I enjoyed

This was okay. There were a few songs that stood out but nothing I would write home about.

Better than expected.

Ehh

Ignore all the voices on here saying Dexy’s don’t deserve 3 albums in the 1001. Maybe they don’t, but go it’s a shame if anyone has to go into listening to this album with a preemptive bad attitude. Dexy’s have made many strong artistic statements over the years and this is one of them. Just be ready to enjoy it and you will.

Definitely sounds a bit like an 80's pop album. It has a lot of violin and incorporates Celtic Folk Music. It's got Come On Eileen which is their hit and has made them one of the most recognizable One-Hit Wonders ever, but there are plenty of underrated tracks on the album. Very good album!

327/1089 just not a fan of Dexys. i find the twee-ness and vocal style especially to be a bit cringeworthy. Come On Eileen is the obvious highlight and works as a soundtrack song but otherwise i’m not fussed 34/100

Meget fedt og festligt, men kommer nok ikke til at høre det tit og ofte.

Falling asleep whilst listening

This was pretty fun, even though Come on Eileen steals the show.

Always a good time band, I was surprised by Dubious very reminiscent of Chicago in their hey day.

It’s fine

9 songs that sound like the world hit "come on eileen" and the world hit "come on eileen"

I’m a sucker for this kind of stuff… the music that just revels in being alive, the experience of it all. You can feel the passion and life in every song. What more can I say?

I'm completely blown away by how much I like this album. Each song felt like its own Summer party, and the Celtic influence is just the icing on the cake. The singing, and diversity throughout the album ensures there aren't many dull moments with this one. Finally, this masterpiece closes out with one of the most iconic songs of all time. Favorite Track: "Come On Eileen"

Come On Eileen is a classic. And the rest of it was just fine

A solid rock/new wave album which to be honest is carried by the final and by far most recognisable track 'Come on Eileen'. Such a tune. 7/10

did he cook lowkey? 3.5

Pop with a slight Celtic lean. Recognized "come on Eileen"

Really fun album IMO. Not one i'd come back to all the time but enjoyable all the way through.

solid 3.5

I absolutely loved this album, they are such mood-lifters and will definitely do a re-listen, since I liked it so much ❣️

This is a pretty mixed bag - from Scottish folk music to glam rock. Maybe a bit too mixed for me.

I mean, it's like ELO but not as good? But also come on eileen is legit one of the greatest wedding songs of all time.

Siempre pensé que esto era The Cure. Sugerencias: no pongan el álbum remix o cosas así. El de ayer era una playlist de 5 albums de yes, que en realidad eran un disco mezclado diferente o con otros masters. Ahora hay 2 versiones de los hits y eso te quita el sabor a DISCO

Come On Eileen was a huge hit when I was 18, played in every pub and disco endlessly, a great song if you're a teenager and you're hammered. I still love to hear it on the radio to this day, Jackie Wilson was another huge hit, but I don't think I've ever listened to the whole album before. Good soul songs, with great strings and horns. It's only a week since this app threw up the Dexy's debut album for me and I'll reiterate what I said there - can't make out much of the lyrics Kevin, what are you singing about?

Fun

(4/7) sounds like an Irish pub

so-so but has its vibe for sure

Strong 3,5

27/05/2026 I thought this was alright. Started to get a bit whiney in the end. Glad it finished when it did. Spotify listeners: 7.5 million

Better than their other album on this list. The Celtic influence and feel was fun. Not sure I agree they should have 2 albums on this list - more of a one hit wonder to me if I’m honest. That being said I didn’t hate listening to this album but won’t rush to do it again.

Mehhh preferred the last one

The third star is for Come on Eileen. (Also two Dexys Midnight Runners in a row??)

Unfortunate that we've had double dexys as I think it put me off the album more than I otherwise would have been!/.

Is this the third Dexys album on this list? Thankfully it’s the more engaging of the triad - better it comes around late than never. Jackie Wilson Said was upbeat & happy, this was my early favourite moment from the album. I even prefer it - quite substantially - over the Van Morrison original. The random sax solo in Until I Believe In My Soul was pretty epic. Of course Eileen was the standout. Altogether, a listenable, decent, yet slightly annoying novelty record deserving of a solid 3/5.

Grusomt 🤮

Do what on Eileen?

I can see this record becoming 5 stars down the road. What a unique album. Love the violin and horn instrumentation. The whole record is so in your face, like it’s constantly making sure you’re paying attention. Loving The Celtic soul brothers - let’s make this precious - all in all - liars a to e - come on Eileen (of course)

Bad. Repetitious, harmonically juvenile, minimal melodic content. Just… Very bad. I do like the horn parts, except for when they are soloing (who needs a key signature?) and there’s some fun, upbeat stuff, but overall, it’s just really bad. This album makes me question the validity of this entire book. How could this possibly be on of the 1001 most important albums to listen to?

Music for Uncle Knobhead at a party dad dancing with his tie tied around his forehead. 2/5 24/2/26

Everyone knows Come On Eileen which you can’t help skanking to. I guess what surprised me most about this was how it sounded more like a Third Wave Ska record versus the Two-Tone Era it belongs to.

Come on Eileen is certified banger, rest is weaker but still vibe

Why is the worst song on the album the most popular!?

I like Come on Eileen as much as the next guy, but did not need an entire album of this.

3,5, tegen 4 aan

Very fun Irish inspired pop rock album, cool variety of instruments used, but gets very hit or miss

Honestly, their first album was actually better (minus Come On Eileen) and had a ska base that would have worked better than what they went with here. Not a massive fan of the Folk approach that they went for, but Come on Eileen makes the album worthy of a three.

The last Dexys album I had on here (Don't Turn Me Down) was a dreadfully slow album brim to brim with mid 80s production cheese. I couldn't do it. But this, the album that got the hit Come on Eileen. I enjoyed this one quite a bit! Not a 5 star album and I'm hard to find justification for 4 stars but this is the Dexys album you need on the list. Not any other.

Fun Irish boos

Now I see why they are running at midnight, they’re too embarrassed to show their faces during the day. There were some fun moments but this album sounds like what it feels to wear dress socks to the gym. Ie goofy as hell

1ere chanson, des accordéons. 2eme chanson des trompettes. 3eme chanson un falsetto. Et bah nique ta mère

Temp

The big track (Come On Eileen) is fun and is part of the early 80's cannon. The rest of the album is an OK listen but I don't know if it deserves a spot on this list. The track "Until I Believe in my Soul" is surprisingly soulful, reminds me of some Beck songs.

I don't hate it, but I'm less than convinced that producing one big hit, around 40 years ago, is grounds for inclusion on this list.

Turns out 'C'mon Eileen' is exactly how much Dexys Midnight Runners you need.

6/10 Medio medio, no me gusto mucho, medio aburrido pero tampoco lo odie, uno de los últimos temas es malisimo

music is love

Loved this. Music that was made to be danced too with those clear Celtic influences permeating through the post-punk, poppy hooks.

I don’t know how to review this. It wasn’t bad? I liked bits of it. But I think this process has broken me because I don’t think I would have said that if this was the first album i listened to. 3 stars while I remain confused.

Don’t know anything outside of Come On Eileen which is a wedding classic for a reason. I actually really enjoyed this. Was close to giving 4 stars a few songs on the back half started to drag.

Funky irish tunes with a fun upbeat tempo, good talent and good hooks. An enjoyable listen!

Going into this, there is only one song I know by Dexys Midnight Runners, and it is the obvious one. I don't believe I've ever even heard of another song of theirs, but Come on Eileen is definitely a guilty pleasure type of song for me so my expectations are reasonably high. about halfway through and my expectations have been met, it is a lot more music of the same style, very upbeat and fun. The lead singer's voice is so unique, for better or worse. I get similar vibes to Electric Light Orchestra and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and that is a compliment. No song stands out as much as Come on Eileen, but if you are a fan of that one, then you'll enjoy the rest of the album.

More like 2.5

Come on Eileen! Immediate warmth for scream-singing in Ireland at various points throughout my 20s, Molly, and that manic pixie dream girl af dance scene in perks of being a wallflower. His voice is doing it for me. Giggling; per Wikipedia, “Rowland thought it was "important to have a vocal style", he later recalled, "and I had the idea of putting that 'crying' voice on"…”

this was really well made and consistent, good tunes

Obviously, I knew Come On Eileen, and recognized a couple other songs, but otherwise I didn't know this group at all. I thought this album was a ton of fun -- and a little timeless. I wouldnt have been surprised if it came out today. I suppose that's in part because it's so very pop oriented, almost superficial, but I had a good time.

Fun album but I can understand why some find it annoying.

Much better than I was expecting! Quite a fun album.

liked this a lot

A slightly grudging three stars, because I loathe Come On Eileen and always hope I'll never hear it again. But I rate Dexys as a band. I wish they'd stuck with brass, and hadn't discovered dungarees. But most of the songs on here held my attention.

Second song is really lovely with the strings and brass and driving bass and drums. 3 is also pretty special. A new wave punk. Old is also a great great song. 9 is a great song aswell. Generally enjoyed side one more. Come on Eileen is an undeniable banger. A very nice refreshing album. Really like the different take on British new wave. The middle has some not as existing songs, but the highlights are high. Another 3

No thanks Playlist add: "I'll Show You"

Couple of classic tracks

2.5

They have a fun upbeat sound that is different and unique. But nothing was amazing.

His singing is a lot. I can understand why some people would be a hard pass. I happen to love his vocals for reasons I can't fully explain. But beyond his crooning overly expressive vocals there's some great music and instrumentation that keeps me coming back for deeper listens. This would have been an awesome band to hear live.

I might need more time with this one, but on first listen, I like the energy but wasn’t generally wowed.

It’s not bad, but “Come On Eileen” is the only truly great moment. The lead singer’s downward squeak thing Is so weird. I also just feel like Dexy’s Midnight Runners act like they’re better than you, and I find that off putting.

This offers a great selection of songs that I would come back and listen to. 7/10

The hate here is thicker than the dungaree overalls!

Lät typ som man förväntar sig. Inget som riktigt fastnade. Inte toppklass men inte kasst? Svårrankat. 2,5

Худшее что я слышал за десять лет

Festive

yes, come on Eileen is a hit totally subjective but I could not stand the singer's voice after a few songs

I have to admit to living a jig at a do when Come on Eileen comes on even if it's not cool anymore however I could take or leave the rest . Feels a bit dated now .

When it's good it's great but quality drops a bit at times

I knew that one song at the end.

Music to make you grin.

fodase total mas pelo menos um gênero diferente.. legalzinho até

Come on Eileen is really the only song that I’m familiar with everything else. Just sounds a little strange. I always thought of them as a one hit wonder

ehhhhhh. there’s nothing technically wrong with this, but jesus is it a slog. old british pop rock just really isn’t my thing, and the random hollering, squeaky horns, and chunky, repetitive piano solos (plus the annoying habit of songs ending and then starting again MULTIPLE times) made sure i was constantly checking how long was left the entire time. 2 stars because Come On Eileen is unfortunately still a banger

fun!

Come on Eileen!