Kings Of The Wild Frontier

This is fucking horrible - I love it. I'm not sure why I actually like this. The lyrics are stupid, the music is stupid, the name and album art are stupid.. there's even a completely random pirate song for absolutely no reason. The band's not even "Adam & The Ants", there's one guy named "Adam Ant". It makes no sense - that's like The Beatles calling themselves "John & The Lennons". This is what the kids like to call "penis music" and I'm here for it. Yeah I gave this a 4/5 and The White Album a 2/5, what are you going to do about it. I am aware that my brain is completely rotten and that I have tiny goblins building aqueducts in my cerebral cortex.

Why does the album generator hate me?

The range of influences in this album is impressive. I hear Beach Boys, Beatles, punk, African music (particularly Burundi), and glam rock. Adam and the Ants are clearly not overly concerned with mixing these influences or writing idiosyncratic songs, such as 'Jolly Roger,' yet there is a unity to this album that makes it all work. There's a lot to love here. The more I dive into New Wave, the more I'm convinced that it is one of the most forward thinking movements in popular music history.

I really like this one. It's like the Animals meets the Talking Heads, but with a little something special mixed in there. Honestly, I can't iterate why I dug this so much. I just did.

An album I've never heard of from an artist I've never heard of, nice! After reviewing the Belle & Sebastian album, a band formed by two Stuarts, I'm surprised to find that Adam Ant is in fact also named Stuart. There's some sort of British Stuart invasion that needs to be investigated. I appreciate this album's weirdness. It's got a touch of that '80s new wave feel, but it's mostly dwarfed by a more experimental edge. I wish I could say I liked this, but I didn't. Of course, I liked a few songs, and I can tell why someone would like it (I'm guessing Andrew and/or Alden will love this one), but as experimental as it is, it didn't really grab or hold my interest. The '80s pop/droning rock combo is lost on me. I wouldn't say it's a bad album, but I wouldn't say it's good either. Also, did Death Grips sample "Killer in the Home" on "Spread Eagle Cross the Block"? Maybe not, but the three-chord riff sounds similar. Favorite tracks: Dog Eat Dog, Ants Invasion Album art: really cool picture, very menacing. Giving off some Buffalo Bill, "Goodbye Horses" vibes. I like the inexplicably backwards D in "ADAM," especially because the D in "WILD" is not backwards. Watch out folks, this guy's wacky! 2.5/5

Behind the idiosyncratic sounds of early 80s post punk/new wave--which have aged quite well given the revival surge of these sounds occuring in the British scene these days--, behind the experimental drive borrowing a lot of disparate elements here and there, from Glam Rock and Surf Rock to traditional Burundi rythms and Tex Mex / Western Country twangs, behind all those endearing and/or hypnotic details, there's one thing that this record displays that's cruelly missing in a lot of the more obscure cuts sometimes suggested by Dimery's list among well-known landmarks: infectious pop melodies. They're here played with an undeniable sense of fun, and the end result is here a record which is anything but pretentious, and yet manages to impress you from the get-go with its manifold stylistic twists and turns. I was barely aware of who Adam Ant was before his name popped up on this app. From what I hear, his overall discography will be quite hit or miss for me. But it only took one exhilarated spin of this particluar record to make the latter a new late-70s/early-80s favorite of mine, along with the greatest albums of Siouxsie And The Banshees, Wire, The Cure, Bauhaus, Gang Of Four, The Clash, The Damned, This Heat and the likes. An awesome discovery. Whoever in Dimery's team was in charge of that specific scene has great taste. I will thank him forever, along with the creator of this app. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 853 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory: 81 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 36 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 31

Big cowboys and Indians/Western meets glam rock vibes here! Really fun with lots of catchy songs and always gotta appreciate anyone trying to be a bit different!

Met a guy in a bar once who told me he was a famous popstar in the 80s. I didn't really believe him, but he was Adamant...... I only knew Prince charming and stand and deliver prior to this, but this album wasn't what I expected. Was a bit glam rock, which surprised me, that opening track sounded like Hanoi rocks. Probably didn't enjoy it enough to go back but it was far more interesting than I expected. 3.5

Definitely music

I always liked Adam Ant without really knowing his music that well. This is a fine display of why I like it and possibly also explains why i never got to know it that well. It is a major thump-a- thon - high energy right at yeah. The easiest to hear lyrics are often amusing. Not too much drama; just good fun. Adam has a way to grab hold of you without being arrogant or obnoxious It's a great party vibe and a band meant to be seen live or heard at parties where you're so fucked up you can't hold a normal conversation anyway so why not spin the Ants.  The last half of the album did seem to start to fade. 

Pop used to be this mad. Why do we now worship such mediocrity. Pirate afrodrum pop punk. What's not to love?

SEX MUSIC FOR ANT PEOPLE! ANT MUSIC FOR SEX PEOPLE!

I've been a fan of Adam Ant's pop music since I was a kid, but I hadn't listened to Kings of the Wild Frontier until a few years ago. Ant was one of my first crushes, but I learned to deeply appreciate his work after rewatching Sofia Coppola's film, Marie Antoinette & taking a deep dive during the pandemic. He & his band were tired of the gritty punk scene & wanted to do something colorful and "heoric." In the book, Mad World - An Oral History of New Wave Artists and Songs that Defined the 1980s, he says he tapped into and studied the Regency dandy, military history, pirates & Native Americans. He grew to deeply appreciate Native Americans and even got a tribe's blessing to wear the Apache war stripe. For him, the stripe represented war against the record companies. He also felt a kinship to the Native Americans & adopted some of their philosophies. (Having a Romani Gypsy grandfather born in a caravan, he understood to be culturally mindful & respectful). It's evident in the lyrics, "I feel beneath the white, there is a redskin suffering from centuries of taming." What a brazen political statement made by an English band. I can't recall any American bands taking these types of stances in their music at the time. The album is interestingly a bit of everything: spaghetti western, pirates, and Burundian drum music. Let's not forget those twangy guitars. It's very entertaining, and his style was like no other. It turns out Michael Jackson asked Ant where he got his jacket, so Ant directed him to Bermans in London. It's a hussar jacket - a theatrical costume. Michael said, "I want an Adam Ant jacket." And that's how his famous red military jacket look was born. Adam Ant deserves FAR more credit than he gets. He & his band are the forefathers of post-punk, and they were incredibly creative & bold. Personally, I love this album. I had hoped to dress as Ant for Halloween (I enjoy gender bending, so a female as Ant would've been rad), but I don't have the time. Maybe next year. And I hope to see him live next year since he canceled Cruel World 2023. If I never see him live, I'll always have his music. 5 fucking stars.

Love this album, busted out the vinyl for this listen

nice, downloaded it

Bonkers in the best way possible. A heady mixture of African drumbeats, pop culture references and giddy yelps that helped herald the birth of new wave.

Loved it! Serious Oingo Boingo vibes!

Overrated album from an overrated band

Bit boring ennit

This album and Dirk and the rest are why I am how I am. I could not love this more, now or then. Get off your knees and hear the insect prayer!

Catching up on last 3 days - Hendrix made me appreciate why people bang on about him so much (he's on another level), Hookworms transported me to a cool electronic plane of smooth, but damned if this isn't the album of the 3 that I'll be playing again and again on repeat. Banging.

Dog Eat Dog has some excellent beat and bass work. This sounds like the sound track for the lost boys in Peter Pan.

Bolshy chanting; boisterous drum blatter and heroic post-punk guitar muscle make this a pop record that bangs its songs into memory while bypassing the usual tropes of the catchy tune. Had fun with this, may return.

It's so bad I actually really enjoy it These guys shitposted before shitposting was a thing. Truly revolutionary.

Swept up in the silliness 7/10

For this review, I'm sticking to the original LP tracklisting, and not factoring in the B-side tracks and second disc of the super deluxe edition. I hadn't heard of Adam and the Ants before, and that album artwork already gives me quite the impression. This group went through a near complete lineup change before this album, along with a style shift from post-punk to new wave, with the sole consistent member being frontman Adam Ant. Kings of the Wild Frontier gave me similar vibes to The Stranglers concerning the manic energy that Adam and the rest of this group exerted in their songs. From the get-go on "Dog Eat Dog", the Burundi drums kick in as Adam howls and belts his way through, complemented by catchy guitar hooks. It doesn't take long before lyrical themes go off the rails, from talking about the uprising of ant-people to pirates and Native American tribes. It's fun in its lack of cohesion with good riffs and percussion, though this band kept at 100% chaos and doesn't give a break to change up the style, so be aware of that. Give it a spin.

I’ve definitely heard some Adam and the Ants before (Staaaaand and deliver!!) which I’ve enjoyed. Beyond that, I certainly wouldn’t say I’m over familiar, but I like what I’ve heard, and this album led to me liking more. I really enjoyed the tribal sound that came across a lot of the time. The sound is undeniably pop, but the drums would frequently stay on the toms making more of a marching beat than I expected. There are a lot of catchy moments here, making for a fun album.

Still the coolest look in pop, and a unique sound too.

An iconic, ubiquitous presence when I was a nipper; I've never listened to any of the Ants' albums but have a fond, somewhat hazy memory of the singles, their campy, bright VHS-color distorted videos (as the cover image captures here perfectly) and the faintly menacing Ant subculture of the local scary teenagers ("whatever that means!"). This album was enjoyable but mainly empty calories, apart from the singles. He does have a killer Greatest Hits, of course - "Stand And Deliver" probably my fave

Kind of stupid but also kind of fun

Very 80's. A vibe that reminds me of Bowie just in the slightest I think. 3.5

Meh. Nothing standout at all here except for a few, very stupid lyrics.

Awful, random sounds that vaguely remind me of riffs off other oddly random crappy sounds. The fact that this guy ever had a music career makes me hurt.

Bloody Adam and his bloody ants annoyed me at the time and still do. That might be a bit unfair due to my ex-wife liking them. But as I say I disliked them then when things were rosy between me and my ex (her liking this shit should have been a massive neon lit warning sign) Where my hatred lies is hard to define because I suppose the tracks on this album are up to standard reasonable toe tapping pop songs. Everywhere you went in 1980 you had to endure these songs which came a bit exhausting. That and of course all the “ants” stood in an upright pose with two fingers across their brows looking menacing (not that was possible due to hilarious application of make up) And don’t get me started on those ubiquitous videos on MTV and the like. It was impossible to avoid them. Crashing through glass windows is really dangerous but Adam or should I say Stuart managed to do it regularly and still came back to give us more of his stinking music. There is a happy ending in that they broke up in 1982 so my misery was short lived. That is until today when this album arrived on my list. 1/5 25/8/24

One notable item about this album is the "Jolly Roger" song. A pirate song by a punk/new wave group? Ok... Other than that, not much else to say about this. Should not be on a "must listen" album list for anyone. A final note is making mention of the odd "Lawrence of Arabia Theme" musical quote in song "Feed MeTo The Lions"; not sure if it is intentional or not...

What is this even? I'm not even sure if this still counts as music or if it's just a weirdo sing-songing whatever happens to be going through his head at that moment, supported by an unquestioning backup band. This is just really bad in every way. It's not even weird in an interesting way. Just weird and off-putting.

This one hits right in the feels. I've never listened to this album but I had a friend who was a big fan in Jr. High. I miss her. Great vocals, great drumming. All the songs seem like they were having fun. Good times.

9/10. The attitude is perfect. It's wild, and all over the place, but in a good way. The production is dope. This is such a fun album!!! :)

One of my favorite New Wave albums.

Wild stuff, love the personality on this guy

Except for the radio hit, Antmusic, I hadn't heard this one. And hadn't heard or thought of Adam Ant in decades. This was a blast to go back in time to my grade school years. Post-punk pop, in the vein of Devo, the sound aged surprisingly well.

Two drummers is a great idea for a band that cares more about driven sound than message. The hooks are repetitive and often silly, but that’s extraneous. 4.5

Truely awesome punk album.

Yes ...I liked this album

Didn't know what to expect coming into this knowing only 'Prince Charming' and 'Stand and Deliver' which are both on the next album. 'Dog Eat Dog' opens fast. 'Antmusic' has the catchiest chorus on the whole record. 'Ants Invasion' has a great riff. I absolutely love Adam Ant's voice and random almost yodels and noises he makes. The guitar can get quite heavy at times which was a surprise. Always a fan of music that makes you headbang even though it's not all out rock or heavy metal. Difficult to say why I love this so much. Glam rock meets punk meets pop meets Burundi Beat (Google it). Just 40 mins of really fun, very catchy, a bit over the top and silly music. Absolutely loved it.

An undeniable new wave masterpiece. It's chock full of quirky nuggets of gold and oddball swagger. Adam Ant is like the non-inflammatory version of Morrissey. This album is just a solid good time from end to end. Landmark for the genre.

I've never heard of this group or album, but I loved it.

Great A&Ants album from the early 80s: 5 stars obviously, not a single weak song. Dirk Wears White Sox (probably the best Adam Ant album) and Friend or Foe should also have been on the list.

had a lot of fun listening to this, unexpectedly

New wave, pop punk.

I bought Kings of The Wild Frontier as soon as it came out. I was a fan then and still am. The mixture of the musical themes was fresh, original, and fascinating. There was this heroic and adventurous touch to it. Pirates, gunman, native Americans, the Wild West, and other references in lyrics, music, and appearance of the group placed them in the time after punk and before New Wave in a unique spot. Remember, at that time there was no MTV, just Top of the Pops on BBC. The double drums were a centerpiece of the music, as were the sailor choir like backing vocals. The production was astonishingly good, so no wonder that this got number one in the UK.

Loved this. It was so much better than I thought it would be. I hope I won’t regret later saying it is five stars but I think this is on a pedestal above the previous 4 I gave which was the Stevie wonder one. Highlights included antmusic, los rancheros, ants invasion and the title track. This album will be on the rotation from now on - great fun and encapsulates the sounds of the 80s very well and I’m surprised people don’t talk about this album more. This is exactly the reason why I’ve started this project is to discover gems like this

Leapfrog the dog.

Drums have never sounded better than on this record. The production on them is so good that Michael Jackson himself phoned up Adam Ant to ask how he recorded the drums. The rest of the music is really catchy and unique, nothing else really sounds quite like this record, especially in 1980

This album SLAPS

Good energy!

This music always resonates with me. I love Adam Ant on all of good band configurations. This isn’t his best album in my mind, but damn good.

4++

New wave, pop punk

Kooky, fun, unique - well paced and just right in length. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but purely subjectively to me - this is an awesome perfect album.

9/10 - All round great album, bit strange at points but i liked it

New wave, pop punk

loved it!

really interesting new-wave hard-rock had a lot of really great stuff in there 9/10

So catchy and filled with raw energy and rambunctious vocals p, absolutely love it! I’d give it a 9.5 out of 10!

Punky, upbeat glam pop, definitely an influence on Supergrass and Franz Ferdinand. Irresistible.

## In-Depth Review of *Kings Of The Wild Frontier* by Adam & The Ants Released on November 7, 1980, *Kings Of The Wild Frontier* marked a significant turning point for Adam & The Ants, transitioning from their punk roots to a vibrant, eclectic sound that would dominate the UK charts. This album is not just a collection of songs but a bold statement that encapsulates the cultural zeitgeist of the early 1980s. Below, we delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and its lasting influence. ### Lyrics The lyrics of *Kings Of The Wild Frontier* reflect Adam Ant's unique blend of humor, surrealism, and social commentary. Many tracks are characterized by their catchy slogans and vivid imagery, often drawing on themes of rebellion and identity. - **"Antmusic"** serves as a manifesto for the band and its followers. With lines that emphasize the importance of music in shaping identity and culture, it highlights the joy and urgency of youth rebellion: *“So sad when you're young to be told you're having fun.”* - **"Dog Eat Dog"** presents a gritty view of competition in the music industry, inspired by a quote from Margaret Thatcher about ruthless competition. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and survival amidst cutthroat dynamics in show business. - **"Ants Invasion"** juxtaposes playful imagery with darker undertones, using metaphors that evoke both menace and camaraderie. Its refrain embodies a sense of collective identity among fans while exploring themes of societal alienation. The lyrics throughout the album are marked by clever wordplay and an almost theatrical flair, showcasing Adam's ability to weave narratives that resonate with listeners while maintaining an air of absurdity. ### Music Musically, *Kings Of The Wild Frontier* is groundbreaking. It combines elements of punk rock with tribal rhythms and glam influences, creating a sound that is both infectious and innovative. - **Instrumentation**: The album features a distinctive two-drummer setup that incorporates Burundi rhythms, giving it a unique percussive backbone. This tribal beat is most evident in tracks like **"Kings Of The Wild Frontier,"** which opens with powerful drumming that sets the tone for the entire album. - **Guitar Work**: Marco Pirroni's guitar work is integral to the album's sound. His style blends rockabilly influences with spaghetti western motifs, creating memorable riffs that complement Adam's flamboyant vocal delivery. Songs like **"Killer In The Home"** showcase this blend effectively with haunting melodies intertwined with driving rhythms. - **Production**: Produced by Chris Hughes (also the band's drummer), the album features polished yet dynamic production that captures the raw energy of live performance while enhancing its pop sensibilities. Hughes' approach allows for layered vocal harmonies and intricate arrangements without losing the visceral punch characteristic of punk. ### Themes Thematically, *Kings Of The Wild Frontier* explores concepts of identity, rebellion, and cultural commentary: - **Rebellion Against Norms**: The album embodies a spirit of defiance against societal expectations. Ant positions himself as a leader for disaffected youth—a “wild nobility” challenging the status quo through music and fashion. - **Cultural Commentary**: Many songs reflect on contemporary issues such as competition in the arts (as seen in "Dog Eat Dog") and societal alienation ("Ants Invasion"). This commentary is often delivered with a tongue-in-cheek attitude that invites listeners to engage critically with the material. - **Surrealism and Absurdity**: Adam Ant's lyrical style often incorporates surreal elements reminiscent of English absurdists like Monty Python. This can be seen in his playful yet pointed critiques of pop culture and fame. ### Influence The influence of *Kings Of The Wild Frontier* extends far beyond its initial release: - **Cultural Impact**: The album played a pivotal role in ushering in the New Romantic movement while retaining its punk roots. It paved the way for future acts who would blend theatricality with pop sensibilities. - **Legacy in Pop Culture**: Elements from the album can be traced through various cultural phenomena—from fashion trends inspired by Adam's flamboyant style to musical echoes in later genres like goth rock. Bands such as Bauhaus and Southern Death Cult drew from Ant's tribal beats and aesthetic. - **Modern Resonance**: Contemporary artists continue to cite Adam & The Ants as an influence, particularly in their blending of genres and theatrical presentation. The band’s ethos can be seen reflected in modern pop culture figures who embrace flamboyance while addressing serious themes through art. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Innovative Sound**: The unique combination of tribal rhythms and punk energy creates an engaging listening experience that was ahead of its time. - **Memorable Hooks**: Each track features catchy melodies and choruses that invite sing-alongs, ensuring lasting appeal. - **Cultural Relevance**: The themes explored remain relevant today, resonating with new generations facing similar societal challenges. #### Cons - **Lyrical Ambiguity**: While many appreciate Adam's lyrical style, some may find it overly abstract or nonsensical at times, potentially alienating listeners seeking straightforward narratives. - **Uneven Track Quality**: While most songs are strong, tracks like "Jolly Roger" have been criticized as weaker entries that detract from the overall impact of the album. - **Production Choices**: Some listeners might find the production overly polished compared to rawer punk sounds, which could detract from its authenticity for purists. ### Conclusion In summary, *Kings Of The Wild Frontier* stands as a landmark album not only for Adam & The Ants but for British pop music as a whole. Its innovative fusion of genres, engaging lyrics, and vibrant themes have cemented its place in music history. Despite some criticisms regarding specific tracks or lyrical complexity, its cultural significance remains undeniable. This album not only defined an era but also set a precedent for future artists seeking to blend theatricality with musical innovation.

Ant music at its finest!

Surprisingly good. Lots of interesting musical ideas here. Still also pretty cheesy. Fave Tracks: Antmusic, Los Rancheros 3.6/5

Bring on more English punk rock!

Killer in the Home is the riff to Link Wray’s Rumble but a fun album nonetheless. Cool album otherwise.

Using music as their banner, AntA put together a jaunty little second album. I remember Ant Music and Ants Invasion being played on a radio throughout the early 80s. Strong start with Dog Eat Dog (best song), all songs good. Had to laugh with some of the lyrics in Don’t Be Square. Ie: Death wears white socks. You might not like it now but you will! (3.7*s)

I've been aware of Adam & The Ants forever but can't say I've ever heard a song prior to this. After listening to this album I feel I've been missing out. Kings Of The Wild Frontier was a surprisingly good listen. I was surprised this was from 1980 as it felt like it could have been released 5 years ago. It had a handful of fun britpop songs and really leaned into the band themes at times. I appreciate how well this held up. I'm evidently a fan of Antmusic and have added a few of these songs to my Spotify list. 3.63 stars

Thought this was very good. I think I might warm to it more over more listens too. 3.75/5

Wonderfully weird

Han zum Album d Wohnig putzt... Putze esch gar ned geil gsii, aber s Album hed Spass gmacht. Spötistens wo de song los rancheros cho esch, esch ziit gsii, mer en "chopfbedeckig" ufsetzte und zum sound alle Dreck usesuge und usewüsche. Nach grosem Chrapf und vell vergossenem Schweis esch d Wohnig weder suber und ech chan gnüsslech use ga und Gschicht schribschribe. Werd sicher mal s Album na imne neue Setting lose, ergendwelchi Vorschläg was passend wär?

I always enjoyed this. Fun and irreverent. Precursor to new wave to come.

Awesome album. I’m getting a lot of new wave from this generator and im not complaining im fortunately a huge fan of this sound. I’m a little shocked to find this album to have mixed reviews, I was jamming the whole time

This is that off the wall new wave stuff I love and is an album you definitely SHOULD listen to. Surprisingly catchy.

This is very exciting. The tribal drumming. The glamrock riffs and stomping. The punkrock energy and chanting. The yodelling! Actual songwriting gets a bit lost in the mix; not sure if I'd be able to tell the songs apart without the sloganeering. But who cares.

Good energy. That was fun

Adam Amt was ubiquitous on Top of the Pops growing up, so very strange to return to it now. Then it was just pop music, with no context. In a way it sounds completely new - I can hear all the different influences at work, and how they come together. Really enjoyed and surprised by a couple listens through.

I like

I knew right away that I was going to dig this. Like the music overall, LOVE the drums.

A little hit or miss here, but I do love some classic New Wave. When this is on it is INCREDIBLE. Unfortunately there are some pretty lackluster moments as well. Drumming is very standout throughout though. Big points there.

I have listened to this album a lot over the past week, as I've really struggled to decide between a 3 and a 4. Adam and the Ants are labelled new wave but I don't think that does them justice. I really hear a lot of punk and post punk in their musical stylings, which likely isn't surprising given what they started as. I think what makes them new wave is the off-kilter sounds they introduce from time to time and Adam Ant's voice - his high pitched signing (at times) doesn't quite fit punk or post-punk. But really listen to their guitar chords, bass playing, and drum beats. It's lower and more punk pounding as opposed to more uppity or poppy sounding that some new wave can be. And I really enjoyed that - something novel about the Sex Pistols or Joy Division paired with Boy George on vocals. There were a lot of songs I really enjoyed too - Dog Eat Dog (campy), Antmusic (a bit poppy but different, Feed Me to the Lions (post punky), Ants Invasion (grungy), the title track (most well-rounded), The Magnificent Five (a mix of everything), Jolly Roger (campy and fun). And then the two songs from the US release - Press Darlings (great fun and glammy) and Physical (Joy Divisiony). I'm going with a 4. There's a lot more depth here than you might think on first listen.

My second album here and I’m already on a marmite one! To be honest this album slaps, I love it, you should love it, everyone should love it. My highlights include: Dog Eat Dog, Antmusic, The Magnificent Five

I liked it so much, I even played the bonus tracks. I usually don't. The bonus tracks are even better. He's not a very good singer, but it suits the music well. Favorite song on the original album: Kings of the wild frontier

I'm not terribly familiar with Adam & the Ants besides Adam Ant's comeback single back in the 90s. I'm enjoying this in a way I didn't expect. Ant Invasion is the first track that really grabbed my attention. I guess taking a screen cap off your video and using it as your album art would have been pretty high-tech back in 1980. It's quaint here in 2024.

"Kings of the Wild Frontier" is the second studio album by English new wave band Adam & the Ants. The band underwent a major lineup change from their debut album as Malcolm McLaren wooed the backing band of lead singer Adam Ant to form Bow Wow Wow. Ant recorded this album with new partner and lead guitarist Marco Pirrani. Two drummers (Terry Lee Miall and Chris Hughes) and bassist Kevin Mooney were also added to complete the band. The album did very well commercially reaching #1 in the UK and #44 in the US. The unique two drummer beat (Burundi) opens "Dog Eat Dog." Guitar riffs and piano round things off. Ant's vocals are echoing and rapping. There's background chanting, yelling and whistling. It's a song about competition inspired by a Margaret Thatcher quote. That drum beat (with the sticks percussion more prominent) drive "Antmusic." Hey, this song still gets fairly heavy rotation on the XM New Wave station. You first hear Pirroni's post-punk guitar riffs here. A very catchy chorus. "Unplug that jukebox and little to our music." There's a singing and chanting start to the self-titled and first single "Kings of the Wild Frontier." The Burundi drum beat, guitar feedback and three-chord guitar riffs. Supposedly inspired by Davy Crockett, Ant compares his band to Native Americans. "Don't Be Square (Be There)" continues a hypnotic, repetitive drumbeat. A turned-up melodic bass and guitar slashes. Pirroni goes up and down the scales. This guitar really reminded me of P.I.L. Don't be square and get into ant music. This was my first dive, of any sort, into the music of Adam Ant. I was really surprised and impressed with Pirroni's guitar. It's edgy, dark and definitely post-punk. The two drummers really drive the music and gives it a unique sound. Ant's lyrics are varied with some dark, some playful and some comparing his band to historical groups (Native American tribes, pirates). I don't know about his other albums (a brief look at reviews gave their next album high marks ) but this one is very good and worth your time listening to it.

This album is fun. it started really well with Dog eat dog and antmusic. The lyrics are nuts. I have no idea what this album is about but will listen to it again. Favourite song: Antmusic Least favourite: Los Rancheros Album artwork: Great cover.

It's got a bit of attitude to it, this. I like how this embraces the weird, and how it doesn't really sound like anything else. Some nice grooves and a lot of fun. 3.5 rounded up.

Nice to finally break out of my classic rock hole. This was some good 80's pop-punk style stuff that I hadn't heard before. I should check out more from him/them.

Catchy tunes with the right amount of weirdness.

Cool vibes and surprising rendition of Physical.

Didn't appreciate this band at the height of their fame and didn't think i would like this album but having listened to all 2 hours and 39 mins of it have to say I did. Its musical theatre and quite funny. Glad i listened

Camp, glee, punk, welcome to the 80s with your hosts Adam & the Ants

За обложку хочется минус влепить, ну чё вы делаете, муравьи. Но музыка неплохая. Не понимаю, почему так много текста про муравьёв? Ну типа это в названии группы есть, я понимаю, но я не помню у корн песен про кукурузу например, или у группы эпидемия песен про эпидемию. Ну типа это странно, не? но в целом слушалось приятно

Infectious.

I wasn't very familiar with Adam Ant. I liked the punky aesthetic of Kings Of The Wild Frontier, as well as the musical quotes from early rock singles like Rumble. I'll definitely be diving deeper into the Adam Ant catalog.