Reviews (page 5 of 7)
Oh no. More British rock... The first track was actually pretty good though. This definitely sounds like it was made in the '80s (for better and for worse) Has a similar soundscape to Davide Bowie. I had thought for a moment that he was in the band. Its pretty good, but this is a 39 song album... I'm starting to get tired of it. The first disk was infinatly better than the seccond one. Overall pretty good I'm hesitant to put this up there with other 4/5's but I feel that it is better than the 3/5's I have... kinda wish this was on a 10 scale
A lot of catchy songs. Good, but not great, but really good, but not really great.... 3.5
I don’t hate it, and I thought I would hate it. Feeding me to the lions was a bit much. Jolly Roger was a bad attempt at a pirate shanty.
3-4
Highlight: Jolly Roger
I saw Adam And The Ants in concert in '84. I enjoyed some of their hits at the time, and from what I can remember they had a lot of theatrical fun in their live shows. I didn't really listen to them very much beyond that. Not from any conscious decision that I recall; I just had other interests and off I went. So, really, this is probably the first time I've listened to any of their albums in full. It's more edgy than I would have guessed, and I like that they weave in some elements from non-Western music. I also like the homage to Link Ray's "Rumble" in "Killer in the Home". (Oddly, not mentioned in the Wikipedia entry about the album.) I don't necessarily love all the songs, but that's more a stylistic preference on my part than anything else.
Vel öðruvísi á sínum tíma, skar sig úr hinni týpísku nýrómantík, og er í raun bara hresst post-punk með smá rokkabillítöktum.
Pleasant surprise
Punk rock
Album that sits firmly in my memory of being allowed to listen to it in a Primary School music lesson. The bridge between punk and new wave and that time when everything made the charts because good music was good music. The singles are right there but as an album it drifts a lot.
I know very little about Adam & The Ants/ Adam Ants but had some high hopes here even though Goody Two Shoes is a little too much for me, I do love that Berundi Beat they seem to use, and there is some good stuff here but overall a bit of a disappointment for me. I quite liked "Killer in the Home" but thought Jolly Roger was like high school musical and that "The Human Beings" lyrically is kind of, well, embarassing sounding but surrounded by solid music. Overall, 2.5 starts out of 5 for me.
Every bit as silly as I hoped it would be
Dit is wat je krijgt wanneer je Devo besteld via Ali Express. Matig klinkende new wave memerock, vooral qua zang. Die zang zal wel ironisch bedoeld zijn, want het klinkt voor geen meter. Al met al redelijk makkelijk verteerbaar, dus toch gewoon 3 sterren omdat ik een milde man ben.
Plenty of genres in here, yet they all sound pretty similar? I suppose you could call that both a success and a failure, depending on who you ask. This was okay, but most songs fail to do much more than the surface level presented, and it makes a lot of songs just alright. Certainly not a bad album, but I don't see myself putting this on again. Certainly not what I was expecting though, I thought Adam Ant was more new wave pop-ish than this.
Unfortunately another New Wave album that isnt bad but fails to leave a lasting impression or stand out from the masses
Those drums still have the power to stir my heart. They strike a very primal connection. The hits take me back to my pre-teen days when my best friend had the album on vinyl and named her dog Ant. We both thought Stuart (Adam Ant) was very pretty and different and bucked the trend. So I still get a warm and fuzzy feeling when I listen to these fun, uptempo tracks and can sing along to all the hits. I’d probably be just as happy listening to a ‘Best of’ Album so I could sing along to all of them. But it’s hard not to feel slightly removed from those days when Adam and his Ants felt fresh. And ant-marched to the beat of a Burundi drum. The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.
Never listened to Adam Ant (or Adam & the Ants) much back in the 80s. As I listen to this album, I can't really explain it. I love the bass, the drums, and the guitar. Adam Ant.... hmmm... not so much. I can think of a number similar sounding artists that I love but I still don't connect with Adam Ant. I probably need to see him in concert to get a crowd sourced emotional connection to enjoy listening to him. The other reason I'm probably not a fan of his singing is because it reminds me of my own singing... LOL!
3.75
Eh
3.8 - Overall, a fun listen but extremely ironic. It's art music in the most arch sense of the term. The burundi drums at the end of "Dog Eat Dog" are sweet, as are the loud coked-up vocals. If someone told me this song was the inspiration for "Rio" by Duran Duran I would agree vehemently. "Antmusic" is kinda neat but it's too self-referential in a "Wang Chung"-y sort of way. "Feed Me To the Lions" sounds like a campy approximation of Roxy Music, and it's pretty amazing. On that song the timpanies, gnarly guitar, "ay-oh-ay-oh" background vocals in the chorus work really well together. I lose the thread around "Jolly Roger", a whacked out pirate biddy - it's actually cooler than it sounds but still not amazing. I love the chorus of "The Human Beings" ("Blackfoot, Pawnee, Cheyenne, Crow Apache, Arapaho...").
I wasn't expecting the You're So Physical band to sound like analog Animal Collective.
Adam Ant's music is pretty close to something I'd like, but there's only a few of his songs that seem to grab my interest. This album was alright, and I did like a few songs off of it, but, again, most of the songs were almost something I'd like, but not quite. Maybe I'd like another album of his more. My favourite songs were Los Rancheros and Don't Be Square (Be There).
interesting tunes
3/5. An fun album of talking heads inspired music. But there are a few quite annoying songs that bring this album down some.
Pretty bang average pop punk rock
me gustó pero bueno chill tmp me enloqueció 7.5 / 10
Top 3 Songs: 1 - Ants Invasion (5) 2 - The Magnificent Five (8) 3 - The Human Beings (12)
Ant music!
Very weird album haha. I had pretty high expectations after the first few tracks but I feel like it went a bit downhill from there. Kind of typical British 80s sound (plus the weirdness). Does the vocalist want to fuck bugs? Sure sounds like!! Fav tracks: Dog Eat Dog, Ants Invasion
Dog eat dog- chorus doesn't do anything for me Ant music - pre chorus and chorus catchy👍 Feed me to the Lions - random hey hos in chorus really throw me off Los Rancheros - what is with the random chanting in the chorus? Quite fun tho👍 Ants invasion - not sure what he's going on about but I like it👍 Killer in the home - quite repetitive, not a catchy hook. Kings of the wild frontier- some weird pretending to be native American which makes me uncomfortable today, but this is undeniably interesting👍 The magnificent five- someone take the western movies away😭 Don't be square - feel like I'm joining a cult👍 Jolly Roger- this is bizarre, feel like I'm listening to an ancestor of stand and deliver, think I'd rather listen to that Making history - I like this one, think it is quite clever👍 The human beings- very simple lyrically, I think this works. At least he's finally stopped relating the band to a nouveau native American tribe Very interesting album, with different vibes, including some very themed songs. Lyrical content questionable sometimes 3/5
Good old fashioned punk. Not a whole lot here, though. Kind of experimental in places.
Didn't remember how much i liked Dog Eat Dog and Antmusic. Both completely banging songs. I like the african drum vibe that carries through a lot of the music, but outside of the first two songs, there's nothing that is really great. A bunch of fine songs and a pretty unique sound.
Typische new wave muziek.
New to me, still kind of processing it. It's good, it's also fiercely obnoxious.
First I heard it in the car and didn't think it was interesting at all, but after listening in a different environment I can hear things a lot better. A lot of these songs sound very familiar, not sure if I heard covers or what. It's not bad and has some interesting vocals at times, but still doesn't grip me enough.
This album has such a silly groove that I simply can't help enjoying it. The unique percussive elements take a back seat at the same time the Ants slow things down, which is less than ideal. Well worth a listen nonetheless.
I got Animal Collective vibes from this album and am excited to come back to it
This was just ok. Nothing really grabbed my attention so kind of surprising this had so many big hits.
I like a lot of his stuff way more. I wonder why this one made the list.
Classic early 80s rock.
This was a pretty fun album. Not sure if it's "good" but the songs were catchy and it kept my toe tapping.
A potently rhythmic style of new wave, with TWO drummers to emphasize the Burundi beat that drives the album. Some songs are really great, as they lean into a gritty form of new wave. Other songs end up being duds, but it's certainly not a waste of anyone's time.
This is a fun collection of songs, full of absurdity and punk attitude. There is an exuberance and camp aspect to this music that runs contrary to so much of the self-serious post punk music coming out at the same time. I will say this for the band, the Ants sound like pretty much nothing else out there. The foregrounding of multiple drummers with a grinding surf-tinged guitar, performed by a bunch of guys in pirate cosplay? Yes, it was gimmicky, but Adam Ant had more than enough charisma to pull it off. Whatever he was selling, a lot of us bought it. Marco Pirroni's guitar is excellent and deserves a lion's share of the credit for what works on this album. His vibe in "Killer in the Home" is straight out of Link Wray's "Rumble" but he's a surprisingly nimble player who can move pretty effortlessly from jaunty to menacing. Contrast "Don’t Be Square (Be There)" with "Killer in the Home" to see what I mean. The lyrics are frequently silly, but what do you expect from a guy who dresses like that to go to work? Fave Songs: Dog Eat Dog, Antmusic, Killer in the Home, Kings of the Wild Frontier, Feed Me to the Lions, Ants Invasion, Don’t Be Square (Be There)
Bizarre, funky, memey pop.. it has some really hilarious bits to it and a few songs are memorable just on uniqueness, but overall not totally my vibe. 5/10
Some tunes! Some lacking
Worth the listen.
Adam Ant seems to be taking the New Wave 'Revolution' theme a little too seriously with that dumb jacket, but there some authentic new in this album. The trick of starting a song with percussion and drums works the first time, but gets stale and is over used. The drums intro to 'Ant Music,' sounds almost identical to 'Goody Two Shoes' (which reminds me of Jump, Jive & Wail for some reason). Even Kings of the Wild Frontier has the same percussion intro if you get thru the first five seconds of voice. This album is a product of its time and an embodiment of all that was popular. It's a new world that will only exist as a moment in time. The strangeness of the early 80's, synth-y crap, distorted guitars with vocal overlay harmonizing. This is hardcore New Wave, but if I'm gonna listen to the genre, I'd much rather it be the wacky stuff by the guys in yellow suits from Ohio. https://youtu.be/XTNGg0Tj5Aw
Ok, not terribly exciting
I really want to like this - remember that from when I was a kid. But I only really like the hits. It is not consistent
very strong influence of amerindian sounds... which explains the album cover I guess
aight
There is so much British music that is legit. This band is yet another cocktail of previous influences, and was clearly influential on what would come later. Another one that makes me think about the Britpop that would flourish 15 years later in the mid-90s. Adam & the Ants also incorporate some of the more ethereal sounds of their time. Which, if I had to differentiate them, would be what I'd say. But that gets to my overall point: Does ANOTHER band like this need to be on the list? I do like it, though.
i guess it has historic significance for using burundi beat but besides that its alright but nothing spectaculair, reminds me a bit of soft rock/punk
Ah the 80s! This was an interesting album that fits my recollection of the time era... Mostly harmless...
Weird and fun, but not much to my taste honestly. I could see this being loved by a very specific kind of person.
Distinctive sound with the drumming and chanting, but only 3 good hit singles and a two new wave songs with sinuous groovy bass lines isn't quite enough for anything more than 3 stars, although the style was certainly influential.
very very 80s
I can see why it was exciting at the time, but it sounds pretty generic now.
3/5
Fun new wave music. Not much that leaped out at me as memorable.
Not at all familiar with the album, and it was kind of fun. I had hoped that I would like it more since it was new wave and that was something hip back in the day. But there was nothing there that really grabbed me.
This was pretty much what I expected.
I liked this album, but as an album it was a lot. I think I would enjoy this music broken up into smaller doses. As a whole it seemed a bit monochromatic after several songs. You can hear a lot of the New Wave trends that came from this album. Apparently this lead the way. Not something I expect to listen to as an album again, but good and I wouldn’t mind hearing songs off this again.
80’s new wave
Can see why they are quite influential. Strong ending.
nice. combination of early 80s and punk. Some memorable songs.
Some good stuff
It has a death grips sample on it! Also, what's the deal with the genre 'new wave'? The genre title seems completely meaningless, and is used on almost anything from a certain time period. It's like calling music 'indie' nowadays, it means nothing
Op zich aardig maar erg veel van hetzelfde.
Noisy but fun. Must have been an exciting live gig, but I think the drumming is a bit too much for this to ever be a favourite album of mine. Although I definitely enjoy the parts more than the whole.
I have gone over 40 years without hearing an Adam & The Ants or Adam Ant album. They didn't receive as much of a following on this side of the pond and I never had to desire to listen to band that dressed as pirates or wore warpaint like American Indians. Admittedly, I've probably seen some Adam Ant videos which didn't help. This was the second album from Adam & the Ants and when I actually listened I didn't dislike it. It was infectious and it had some of that punk, new wave edge the band's sound had before Adam went solo. Much better than I expected, but still not a fan.
Is this punk? I don't know, it's not terrible, but I don't need to listen to it again. My impression is that it doesn't stand the test of time.
okay, didn't blow me away
Jolly roger banger!
Damn this had some catchy songs but also was pretty annoying , like it combined the elements I dislike of both pop and punk. 5/10
5/10. Not so bad, but why was there a random pirate song? Maybe I needed to pay more attention
I could name two songs by Adam & The Ants off of the top of my head. Neither of those tracks were on this album. I did not recognize any of the tracks, but the whole album sounded like what I remember from the band. Adam & The Ants has a particular drum sound and a complimentary rhythm to the vocals that was present on several tracks. The album brought back memories of early new wave. Based on this album, I would think that their live performances would have been energetic and fun. The album hinted at being worth a second listen, but there was a limited diversity in the music. I just wasn't paying as much attention to the album towards the end. There was at least one track that I'd probably skip. This album is officially "okay".
Some are catchy but not really my thing. This is like the 80s Beach Boys but more chaotic.
Ich finds ganz gut. Bin gerade noch bisschen auf der Suche warum das hier gelandet ist, aber wenn ich mir so das Erscheinungsjahr vor Augen führe: passt schon. Schöne Mischung von Punk-Attitüde mit Glam, Surf und Tribal Beats. Entertaining! War bestimmt spannend wenn man mit Adam und den Ants ausgegangen ist. Extra Props an mich wegen sofortigen Erkennens des Link-Wray-Zitats in Killer In The Home. 3,4!
5.4/10 Fav track: antmusic Least fav track: don’t be square
The music of the 80s. AatA were some of the best syntho-pop in the post-punk pop scene. Some of that music comes off as very dated forty years later, this not so much.
This album was better than I expected it would be, but still not great. My favourite songs were Antmusic, Los Rancheros, The Magnificent Five and Don't Be Square (Be There). 3/5 stars.
So much better than I anticipated.
Love the drums
This wasn't an insanely effective new wave, pop punk album for me. Personally found it much more enjoyable when they were dabbling in the pop punk territory as the new wave work on the album generally was either boring or just a touch off putting personally.
Pretty good long album
Pretty good stuff
Interesting vibe. Mix of western, mad max, and 80's rock. Not chill.
I liked hearing the original version of Physical that Trent Reznor did over w/Nine Inch Nails
It was good to listen to. I love the drums but I wouldn’t choose it to play again. ***
Some great hits, interesting to listen back
It reached No. 1 in the UK Album Chart,[6] and spawned three hit singles: "Kings of the Wild Frontier", which was released in July and reached No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart; "Dog Eat Dog", which reached No. 4; and "Antmusic",
Here is another album I’ve never heard of. Walton Goggins appears to be on the front cover of this album dressed like David Bowie. I’m not sure if that is actually Adam on the cover or one of his Ants but I think the ants put the D backwards on the cover. This first song starts out nice enough. Reminds me a little of Duran Duran but the music itself is very different from DD. Lot of dogs yipping but that could also be Michael Jackson. I’m wondering how many of the prior albums reviewed will end up being mentioned during this listen. Actually, Walton Goggins was in Ant-Man and the Wasp and now here we are listening to Antmusic with the Ants (and Adam of course). Is this Antmusic, though? Would an ant find pleasure in this? I doubt it just because they are more concerned with their queen and their work. Just like the last album, I certainly wouldn’t have listened to this music otherwise so I’m glad I’m learning about new sounds. This also feels a little British so I wonder if Adam is from across the pond (especially because ants hate water). Three songs in and Adam already wants to be fed to the lions. I really liked the opening of Los Rancheros, felt like it could be the intro to an 80’s breaking bad show but then Adam and his Ants started singing and I feel like I’m in a circus. OK I’m enjoying Ants Invasion, feels like the perfect invasion song and I feel like the chord is familiar but can’t place it. Now we have arrived at the title track and it starts strong. As I’m listening, I am growing to enjoy this album which is more than I can say for Belle and Sebastian. This feels like the album that would play in a Wes Anderson movie. Kings of the Wild Frontier even sounds like Moonrise Kingdom. But it only lasts so long as most of these songs do. They start strong and some carry through but sometimes those vocals (FIVE! Magnificent…FIVE!) are strange. Ok I’m giving props to the Ants because I know they suggested doing a pirate song. Jolly Roger is fun and makes me feel like I’m on a British ship filled with ants and rats and Adam at the helm. Kind of funny that he is really trying to cover all the bases when it comes to “wild frontiers”: sailing, invasions, wild frontier, rancheros, lions, cowboys. Final thoughts: very interesting album, creative for sure, but nothing to write home about.
I had never listened to Adam Ant prior to this, but have wanted to. I enjoyed this.
Sort of 1980s sea shanty music. Interesting.
6
interesting punk rock - felt like I was playing video games like Dave Mira BMX - lots of chant like vocals
3.5. reminds 9f the adicts
My only real issue is that I don't think this music is intended to be played through headphones while writing a blog post. It's intended to be played in the background of a party with an 80s theme for people who are tired of the normal music you'd play at a party with an 80s theme. There were a few bops I thought, although I have a few questions about why there was a song about ranchero sauce. I don't have questions about Jolly Roger. Obviously this guy is a pirate, look at his shirt.
Great singles but after that...
this kinda goes hard wtf? british boyband rock but a little harder than the beatles and a little bit "drier" if that makes any sense, like someone wrung the beatles out and their hair got greasier and they stopped wearing matching suits. thats just the energy i'm getting i have no idea if this is actually what they look like. it's also giving me sing street/the cure energy. interesting. really like her actually. best described as "pirate rock" i think lmao
Some of this is catchy enough, but new wave just feels really dated these days. It's not awful, but I wouldn't listen again. I can hear where DTH got a lot of their sound from tho. 3/5.
High concept pop art! Should probably like this. Still good though!
Not a big Adam fan, I must say.
Some good songs, but nothing worth returning to or favoriting.
I don't have many notes for this one. It's fine, but it isn't particularly enjoyable or something I'd listen to again.
Not quite sure I've felt this ambivalent about an album before.
Album just didn't know when to quit, had to take a 2 hour break at "Jolly Roger".
He looks like he wants to eat me. Are we sure he's never eaten anyone before?
Mezcla de punk, pop y new wave, personalmente no me gustó, tiene bastante personalidad y energía
No bangers. Seems annoying.
I can't get really into the music by Adam & The Ants. All the songs sounds a like and everytime I want to scream Stand and Deliver. Not my cup of tea
Not it. 2/5.
Another instance where the ideas were good, the execution fine, but the material needed a better songwriter.
It’s ok, but not my favorite.
Lets play a game of Two Truths and a Lie - 1. They're called Adam and the Ants even though its just the lead singer who's called Adam Ant (Get it?). He plays Ant Music and is charge of the Ant People, which doesn't really tie in to the original pun at all. 2. The album transcends genre with the only through-line seeming to be bandits and renegades. There's a cowboy song, a highwayman song, even a pirate song. It was a bold idea to base their entire career on this theme, but I guess it paid off. 3. Midway through one of the songs they play the theme to Lawrence of Arabia for some reason. Just kidding, all of those things are true, nothing makes sense. One song at a time is fine, the whole album together really drags. But at least its fun for a while. And so, so camp.
not bad, interesting- but not special
Highlight: Los Rancheros In a nutshell: stand and deliver! Spaghetti pop-punk meets campy new-wave. Adam and the Ants is another 80s band who decided to make frivolous and fun music in a bleak time. Forget your troubles and cares. Turn up your stereo, here are Adam and the Ants! Overall: 4/10
Very pop-ish music with a clear 80s vibe. Nothing that stood out to me in any way, good or bad.
🎧So bland and so lacking in personality
Let's play a game of "Am I British Enough For This" I like synthpop as it would be in two years or so after this album. The transitory nature of Kings of the Wild Frontier is just not developed enough yet.
Too long
This sure is an album. Very apposite for a list that should be called "1001 albums"
The Dandy Highwayman makes an appearance. Massive for a short while. It's what you want from a pop star; a bit of sexiness mixed with danger. The music is all right - lots of tom toms. Not as great as everyone makes it out to be - and the pirate song is truely terrible. You probably had to be there. Best Tracks: Ant Music; Kings of the Wild Frontier; The Magnificent Five
Sassy kind of?
I don’t have a strong opinion about this album. I just didn’t like it very much.
I find this album pretty annoying but I'm not sure what exactly makes it annoying to me, it just is. It's not very good, but it's kind of funny.
Fat no for me
Over 2 hours of this? Hell no, I’m out after half a song
Fjollet, skabet, prøver at være talking heads, men uden talent.
Of all the albums that make me feel nothing, this is one of them.
Number: 115 Date: 04/28/2026 Artist: Adam & The Ants Album: Kings Of The Wild Frontier Year: 1980 Genre: New Wave Familiarity: Well-versed (4) Rating: 2 Before: ======= I have to admit I was a bit of a fan back in the day. In fact, I'm pretty sure I have this on vinyl. During: ======= Now at track 3 "Feed Me to the Lions"...this is pretty bad. 3 Dog Eat Dog 4 "Antmusic" 2 Feed Me To The Lions 2 Los Rancheros 1 Ants Invasion 2 Killer In The Home 2 Kings Of The Wild Frontier 1 The Magnificent Five 1 Don't Be Square (Be There) 1 Jolly Roger 1 Making History 1 The Human Beings ----------------------------------------------------- 1.78 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths) After : ======= This album is a good candidates for the worst of the popular 80's new wave albums. 2 my personal rating 4 suitability for this list 4 impact ----------------------------------------------- 3.3 composite rating
this is almost certainly a three of an album and I'm being overly harsh but it caught me in the wrong mood and I found it deeply annoying
Sounds like it was recorded on a 4 track
If ants could make music would it be this shit? I doubt it!
It was fine, new wave is cool but I didn't need a whole album of this?
2.75/5 A cross of post-punk/new wave and glam rock. The drums and chanting in the "Kings of the Wild Frontier" has a good sound. Feels like it wants to be a street riot song, but it also kind of theatricalizes the plight of native/indigenous people. Most of the other songs, like "Antmusic" and "Dont be Square" just dont do it for me. Too campy, without any substance.
Very different music, and I respect its idiosyncrasies but it’s just not for me
Ei ehkä ihan omanlaista musiikkia. Ihan mielenkiintoista. 2/5.
meh
Just fine, didn’t really get going at any point
one song sounded okay but overall not intrigued
Stupid
273/1001 Adam and the Ants - Kings of the Wild Frontier Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❎ The singles from the band I'd heard previously were mildly entertaining and so how's an album without those singles? Pretty awful. Entirely derivative nonsense.
I know someone who tours the UK as part of the biggest Adam & The Ants tribute bands here. I never knew they were so popular, and after listening to this I really don’t know why they are.
Kinda obnoxious. Not actually bad, but I didn't like it for 90% of the album.
I didn't find this very interesting but I did find it very long.
Idk who Adam is, but he trained his ants pretty well, so that's cool
Right in the first song there is flagrant use of the word "Dadio" that's a big negative for me. There's some fun flourishes throughout, but I find it a bit trying to listen too. Too busy, too produced. Would probably be a middle of the road 3 stars, but the afore mentioned dadio loses one.
Listened Before? N Pretty decent early new-wave album. I prefer their later works but it's okay. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Kings of the Wild Frontier
It’s a little too weird but overall it’s a little better than what I had thought beforehand. I’ve always stayed away from this because of the name, cover and countless inclusions on terrible compilations from TV shopping commercials
This felt like someone trying to do Talking Heads but you just can't replicate that magic. 4/10
I'm not a huge fan of brit-pop, new wave, or straight front men of camp bands. So this album had huge strikes against it from the very beginning. And it truly never recovered. Didn't really like most of the music, and I discovered there was a reason I had never heard of this before.
Not a fan of new wave - wasn’t my least favorite but got stale and a bit grating after a while. Happy to get this one out of the way, I suppose
New wave is een beetje mijn zwakte merk ik. Ik vind het gewoon wel wat hebben. Het doet me heel erg denken aan Talking Heads, en dat is voor mij meestal iets positiefs. Niet altijd, ik vind Adam wel een mindere zanger dan David Byrne. Maar is het een ding dat elke new wave band een soort overdreven, excentrieke zanger moet hebben die bijna als een soort musicalster zingt? Met zoveel emotie en intonatie? Valt me gewoon op dat bijna elke New Wave band dit doet. Oef, Making History is niet best, sowieso vind ik de band gewoon prima. Eerste helft van het album is wel echt een stuk sterker dan de tweede helft als je het mij vraagt. De tweede helft springt minder er uit, komt voornamelijk door de mindere 'beats'. Waar ik tijdens de eerste helft meerdere keren denk hoe vet de muziek zelf is, valt dat nogal weg tijdens de tweede helft. Tel daarbij op dat ik niet de grootste fan ben van Adam zn zangstem, dan kom je uit op een vrij matig New Wave album. Misschien had je er gewoon bij moeten zijn... FAVO: Antmusic
Better than a 1, but barely.
Apart from 2 or 3 tracks…
It was very British and it didn't really click with me.
Ganska dåligt tbh. Lite för tillgjort, och inte min typ av musik direkt.
I did not have to listen to this b4 I die. In fact, this was a waste of my precious time alive.
booooooooooooooooooooooooooring Would I listen again: No Deserves to be on this list: no 2.1
2/5. Adam Ant and his band Adam and the Ants were one of the early acts who blew up thanks to MTV. Listening to the first song “dog eat dog” I thought I was in for a very fun time with the new-wave mixed with some pulsing drums. but as the album went on I was just mostly left uninterested. There’s nothing truly awful or unlistenable, but I wasn’t left feeling much in the end.
Overall Rating - 2.46/5 (4.92/10). Is this Adam Ant (of Goody-Two-Shoes fame)? It sure sounds like him. Yet another example of why I'm not a big fan of most New Wave.
While I appreciate the camp-y vibes and the bold performances, this album feels a bit too unserious for me to really appreciate it. I definitely like some of the pop hooks and melodies here, but, overall, it just didn't click. Favorites: Feed Me to the Lion, Making History
Not my space, not my area, but didn't hate it as much as maybe I thought I would. Dig the percussion, although it kinda wears out its welcome well before the album is over. It's a pretty silly/shallow record, and I don't know if the music provides enough depth to cover for it. Noisy enough for me to dig on some level, though.
This was so weird, I think I kinda liked it
Gotta be on drugs in the 80s.
Was this supposed to be pedestrian and bad on purpose or were they just not great? This is one of those albums I don't hate, but I am not sure how they ever became something more than a local bar band. I like ants they are amazing creates, but I am not sure I like their music.
We've had a small run of albums lately that I've felt entirely underwhelmed by. This is no exception. It had a few fun moments, and I was hoping a second listen would warm me up to it, but I can't point to one song that stood out as "good" to me. And he keeps trying to make ant music a thing throughout the album, I guess as a nagging reminder about how different and innovative this is? Not my thing.
It has a manic quality that attempts to make up for a lack of hooks with frenzied enthusiasm and annoying chants
This album feels far more invested in being noticed than in saying anything meaningful. The Burundi-influenced drum patterns are genuinely strong and give the record its most compelling moments, but they’re mostly in service of a highly stylized persona rather than emotional or musical depth. The songs lean heavily on attitude, theatrics, and image, which can come off as self-indulgent rather than engaging. There’s nothing technically incompetent here, and the rhythmic ideas are historically interesting, but the overall effect feels hollow. The record rarely earns sustained attention, and instead of drawing you in, it often provokes an eye-roll reaction. This is post-punk as pageantry: bold, performative, and loud, but ultimately shallow if you’re listening for resonance rather than spectacle. Rating: ★★☆☆☆
I kinda liked Adam and the Ants as a kid. Their whimsical songs, like "Stand and Deliver", were actually good. Today, "Kings of the Wild Frontier" taught me that most of Adam and the Ants' discography is a pile of crap. I can say that about a lot of lame post-punk bands. The one good thing about today's album is the added B-sides, which are decent. 2 stars for "Kings of the Wild Frontier".
Not my thing
Ok ikke prangende
no es malo, es raro. no es mucho mi estilo, por lo q me suena extraño. hay un tema q tiene una parte q suena IGUAL a la bestia pop d los redondos, alto flash (creo q el tema era feed me to the lions) rescato la voz del chabón, es bastante peculiar y la habilidad de la banda por crear diferentes texturas y escenarios con los instrumentos, se nota bastante experimental, o por lo menos con respecto a lo que yo suelo escuchar. me hace acordar a the clash (?)
Kind of fun but kind of weird
I get their position in the canon, but they're shrug territory for me
Just hooting and hollering 😭😭😭
as a new wave enjoyer, i find adam ant’s yodeling / shrieking within each track to be grating. the music isn’t doing much for me either. im just finding it so annoying
Thought I'd enjoy this more. It's fine. Punky at times, new wavey at others, awful in isolated moments. Eh.
Another artist where I'm not sure a (non-British) person NEEDS to hear more than one album and I personally think the "essential" album is going to have the more well-known songs, but... this is fine. It sounds very similar to the Adam Ant I was already familiar with, which I only learned this morning was actually Adam Ant solo, not with the Ants. But Pirroni played with him solo too, so... whatever. "Ants Invasion" had an interesting (almost heavy metal) sound. "Killer in the Home" sounds like that surf music song I can't remember the name of. I think it was on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack. Not "Misirlou," the other one. (OK, I went looking for it and apparently the song I am thinking of was NOT on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack. But it's a pretty well-known surf rock song without lyrics. ANYWAY...) I liked Adam Ant as a kid - he seemed cheeky. But I think I would have gotten tired of this after an album or two if I had been an adult at the time. "Making History" opens up sounding just like "I Want Candy," which is interesting considering the Ants were stolen by Malcolm McLaren to form Bow Wow Wow. I was planning to give this a 3 but about 9-10 songs in I got pretty tired of it. 2.5 stars.
Let’s face it, New Wave was kind of gimmicky to cover up its musical shortcomings and Adam Ant was among the most gimmicky of acts. It was fine Im its time but has not aged well.
First song was promising, but Adam's vocals soon get annoying.
4 stars. Found most of the songs unmemorable. Nothing really stood out to me. Wasn't bad, but wasn't for me.
The backstory of this album is way more interesting than the album itself. I like how weird it is. But musically it’s not memorable or impressive. And for me the music should drive its inclusion, not the story behind it.
Never really into Adam & The Ants. They always felt like more of a (admittedly cool) look than actual good music, and my listen to this album didn’t dissuade me of that notion. Mediocre new wave pop sung by pirates. Yup.
Bad
Really tough listen. Some good funky baselines and beats, but generally just way too wacky and weird.
Some interesting songs, but mostly stuff I couldn't stand to listen to. Dog Eat Dog ★★★☆☆ Antmusic ★★★☆☆ Feed Me to the Lions ★★☆☆☆ Los Rancheros ★★★☆☆ Ants Invasion ★★★☆☆ Killer in the Home ★★★☆☆ Kings of the Wild Frontier ★★★☆☆ The Magnificent Five ★★☆☆☆ Don’t Be Square (Be There) ★★☆☆☆ Jolly Roger ★★☆☆☆ Making History ★★☆☆☆ The Human Beings ★☆☆☆☆ Press Darlings ★★☆☆☆ Physical (You’re So) ★☆☆☆☆ Fall In ★☆☆☆☆
good album but not my cup of tea
Weird shit
An excessive amount of excessiveness. I feel like I would have enjoyed this album more if they dialed everything back just a bit. But maybe it wouldn't be on this list if they had? Can't deny that they were having fun making this. I just couldn't find my way into having as much fun listening to it. And then there's the pirate song...
Not really my thing. A few nice guitar parts but wouldn’t rush back to this.
I meeeean nothing here was bad per se but it just kinda sounds like fun for people who's definition of fun is very different from mine.
It has a time and place. Generally love new wave, but it sounds an little immature? Would not be on frequent rotation. A few familiar riffs.
Ei oikeen mua varten vaikka kasarista pääsääntöisesti nautinkin. Jotenkin vähän tylsä 2/5
Ei ihan napannut tämä brittisynailu
Unique rocker from the 80’s. Unique style. Some good songs.
A weird album to review because it had a lot of variety but ultimately all of it ended up being tedious. I was ready for it to be done very quickly.
It’s all over the place and mostly annoying. The constant drumming and screeching guitars gets old quick. And if the guitars back off the Adam Ant just fills the space with obnoxious vocalization. The songs that have more traditional song structures aren’t terrible but they are in the minority unfortunately. I don’t understand how this was a number one album in the UK or anywhere. Still better than Yoko Ono. 2/5
they look cooler than they sound
This album isn’t good enough to make anyone who isn’t into new wave give a shit. I despise most rap, but the first album this list generated recommended was Tupac, and it was definitely worth hearing. Adam Ant, like every artist, has no less than one good song. Sadly, he also has no more than one good song, and it isn’t on this album. Next album please!
If I were to walk into a room and this was playing it would never rise above background noise. Nothing caught my ear or attention.
2/5
Energetic and theatrical, reminds me a lot of Prince in a sense. My favorite track was "Don't be square (Be there): punk but disco.
I think I just don't like new wave lmao. It's like. There's so much happening here, and it makes me feel nothing. Feels like the music your older cousins listen to and you're just like ??????????
I love the theatrics of this (“too emotional?” Nah, just about perfect). Its percussion focus, the rolling guitar. The songwriting is dense, surprisingly versatile, and always a handful to digest - but never too much. A careful act of balance on the tightrope. Adam's voice is great because he has swagger while still sounding grounded, fitting perfectly into his band's sound. Even if, in retrospect, some of the new-wave-y art-punk touches feel a bit goofy (the baritone “hey ho” shanty-style chorus in Feed Me to the Lions, the bullet sounds in the intentionally silly Los Rancheros, or the seaman-like whistle in Jolly Roger). The Ants Invasion is a nice little mood piece in the middle of the record and showcases much of the collection’s strength. Shame that the B-side Press Darlings wasn’t included - I think it's a superb blend of punk and distinctly individual “antsyness.” Does anyone still talk about Adam & the Ants? Not sure… Haven’t heard the name in ages. Too bad… this animal-themed sophomore outing is, while never truly brilliant, highly entertaining. You can practically hear the mark he left on the British music landscape for years to come. I wouldn’t have listened to it were it not for this generator (glad I gave it a spin). Not entirely sure it belongs on this list, though; this spot should absolutely belong to Siouxsie.
4 minutes of lyrics repeated to make 42 minutes of album.
Of all the albums on the list, this is one of them.
not my thing/:
Expected to like this more than I did. But I didn’t. Something about how “Psycho Circus” sucks. Yadda yadda yadda.
meh. New wave was fun for a little bit.
It's almost like 1980 came and a whole bunch of British bands were required to make annoying music.
Like David Bowie if he was crap
Have listened to this about 7 times via headphones, via the radio and just couldn't get on with it. It was fun, but the songs just don't stick and there's no real standout ones in there. The production is terrible, the instruments sound like they were recorded in a leaky pond.
Can't say I was hugely excited by this one. Production was pretty sloppy and it just didn't feel as interesting as so many other new wave albums from around the same time.
Unødvendig sjanger
There’s a reason you haven’t heard of this guy
I really hate albums like this in the project. They tend to be things that I wouldn't really want to put on, but after listening through I can't think of anything interesting to say about them. So then I have to listen to them again and try to figure out what I must have missed and it feels like a time suck. This isn't terrible. Dog Eat Dog is a fun opener. Antmusic has a nice rollick and roll to it. But I think I just quickly get bored after that - the talk-singing on Ants Invasion - that breed of 80's just doesn't do it for me.
Welp, more proof the 80’s were weird. Fun, but weird. Goody two shoes was a fun song, this album is not that.
I can't imagine in what world this is "essential". Despite what everyone tackling this list thinks, Britain in the 80s did actually have something good to give the world, musically. This is just chaotic, silly and lacks clear direction. Much like Britain today, actually.
Ei ehkä se omin pala kakkua vaikka brittipunkista voisin sanoa tykkääväni, ehkä tää menee enempi sinne uuden aallon puolelle ja kuulostaa kovasti aikansa kuvalta. Muutamia ihan meneviä biisejä, mutta muuten ei kummemmin kyllä aatami ja murkut iskenyt
On kyllä taas raskasta tavaraa. Jotenki tuntuu että tälläsiä levyjäkin on tehty joku tuhat, niin vaikea uskoa että juuri tämä niistä on jotenkin spesiaali. Ei oikein jaksanu kuunnella edes loppuun. Annetaan nyt säälistä 2 pojoa kuitenkin, kun voi tätä paskempaakin olla.
Olipahan taas sellaista musiikkia jota ei jaksanut kuunnella yhtään, två poäng.
Standard 80’s pop, but very repetitive, and lacking creative lyrics
I'm going to take inspiration from this insignificant album from the overrepresented genre and recommend a sea shanty album, to replace this.
Great, another record that's straight dookie from a butt. Favourite Track(s): Kings of the Wild Frontier Least Favourite Track(s): Making History, The Human Beings, Jolly Roger
Started of kinda of good, some good songs at the start The further you go through the album the weirder it becomes Wierd lyrics and instrumentals
Certainly occurred.
i’m not in support of the 80s as a decade
Kind of bugged me. A lot of repetition and hammering of musical ideas until they break. A mishmash of genres that’s very 1980 and also weirdly out of time. I think this is supposed to be fun, so I feel like a wet blanket saying that I think this is annoying.
Was such a fan! Catch the “northern exposure” show that features him. Will not disappoint.
Some good new wave stuff on here but a lot of it is fairly forgettable. 5/10
nothing to say about this
Weird pop, but it's ok. Ryan thought it was odd.
An act that has not aged well The singles were a bit of a novelty at the time. But listening to a whole album nowadays is pure boredom
My mom mentioned this band and after hearing this album... I have know idea why. I was certain that they had at least one recognisable track but nothing stuck. It's not unlistenable but I feel like there are other band that does this style way better.
Pretty solid. Ant Music a GOAT. Also taught me, as it's the deluxe version that Physical (You're just too) isn't a NIN original. High twos.
Annoying and repetitive
this like the most off album ever. i feel like it wanted to be weird and experimental but none of it felt intentional. i was just confused the whole time and not in a "cool but idk what's happening kind of way". more in a "please make it end" kind of way
I don't know what Glam Rock is but I do not like it. At least this album is short and there are a few songs where the bass playing is prominently featured. The lyrics are gibberish and Ant lacks any charisma.
Best left in the 80s I think
I'd heard of Adam and the Ants before but never actually heard them. Not what I was expecting but also not very exciting. Kind of standard 80s glam rock/new wave?
Some of the music is ok but it's not a great sign when the drums are the most notable part of many tracks. Lyrics are shite and the vocalist manages to make them even worse. Title track is awful.
Tough on the ears. Did not enjoy
Along with Nik Kershaw, Adam Ant is the music i remember liking most from the charts of my early (very early in this case) childhood. The mix of the theatrical and those distinctive drums appealed to young me. My listening was however restricted to the singles and therefore its hsrd to say if i’d have liked a full album in my youth more than i do in my late 40s. Ant music, dog eat dog, kings of the wild frontier and the human beings stand up but away from that its a bit dull. I always enjoyed his vocals on the singles but over a full album the stylised singer grates
Yes. Ants. Pants. Bass lines. Why not. Where are the Ants now? When did they last lift things many times their own weight? Is there a special place in heaven for them? Have I listened to a sufficient quantity of British post-punk/new wave/new romantic albums yet? Ants. Spiders. Music. Bass lines. If anybody has anything left to say it's their sacred duty to keep stumm.
No. I can’t give this one star, because it’s not unlistenable. I can’t give it more than two, though, because it’s barely listenable. I can’t give respect Adam Ant for his creativity, but I don’t want to ever hear this again.
The singing isn’t good here, and it brings down some otherwise decent music.
Oh boy, just what I needed... more 80s new-wave. This album list is starting to get on my nerves. I feel like I'm starting to run out of genuinely great albums because I keep getting stuff like this. What's this? It's kind of annoying, that's what it is. I don't hate new-wave, but when you give me an album that's just Adam Ant moaning about whatever the fuck these songs are about, you lose me. The singing is kind of obnoxious. I'm not a fan. The instrumentation is pretty repetitive. It's not bad, but it loses its luster rather quickly. The writing doesn't make much sense. Take this line on "Don't Be Square (Be There)." The line is "Ant music for sex people, sex music for ant people." I have so many questions. What's ant music? Well, that's the name of an earlier song, so we have that answer. Also, I just need to point out that this guy really likes singing about ants, I guess? Whatever. What are sex people? People who like sex, I assume. What's sex music? That one feels self-explanatory. But then what the fuck is an ant person? I don't know! I don't really like this album that much! I don't find much enjoyment out of it myself. It's not super danceable, but it's not thought-provoking either. Who is this for? Ant people, I guess. High 2/5.
Subpar 80s new wave with tribal beats. This got old fast.
Meh
I despise his solo hit Goody Two Shoes, and before this the only song I knew from Adam and the Ants was Antmusic. It’s better than I expected, but I still don’t love it.
Someone appreciates this. It's not me, but somebody.
There’s a good sound for a single here but no need to spend an albums length of time in it
4/10
Odd mix. The guitar oriented few aren’t bad. Funny and energetic but the drum oriented ones get old quickly.
Not my thing but not terrible
I don't know. It's not bad, but this seems to have been _really_ highly rated when it came out. It just doesn't really seem like anything special.
2.3 1x not loving the 80s poppy-ness, despite a couple catchy songs
Don’t be square has the funk and I liked the unexpected inclusion of a pirate song, otherwise I didn’t love this
point5.
There are better albums of this genre from this era. Just listen to those.
Yeah look. Great 80s tunes but not my bag. Still think the song Antmusic is an absolute banger though👌
Some interesting New Wave-ish rock. I thought it sounded cool but not really my cup of tea. Not sure if it's truly an album you HAVE to hear in your lifetime. 2/5, the album art is interesting. I've definitely seen it around somewhere as it looked immediately familiar to me but I can't really place it. Unfortunately I think the album cover is more memorable than the music will be.
No.
A little weird, but not as bad as I was thinking.
This is a good album to play at a bbq because of its jangly rock energy. I had some skips but overall it's ok.
At least they play instruments
“Mom, I want the new David Bowie album.” “We have David Bowie at home.”
5/10 - pretty decent, not hardcore punk, some good rock songs
on first listen, not as bad as expected. on second listen, pure noise
Like a manic version of The Cars
A positive: this is certainly an original sound. A negative: unfortunately, it's a sound I don't like at all.
Having two Adam & The Ants albums on the list would be insane and this is quite a bit weaker than Prince Charming.
Adam Ant had an album? Or two? I only ever knew of his hit song. Cute but that was enough.
The Good: I guess we are going on a safari! The Bad: That our guides seem to be ants… The Ugly: Finding out that the ends are freaking red ants… because of all the face painting… what? I recall Adam and his ants being on MTV, and me wondering exactly what it was I was supposed to like about them. So, when his face popped up this morning, I got a little exited, because I figured that I would not understand all about Adam and his ants… I guess that I am no fan of Adam and his ants… The album, thankfully, only lasted so long, so there was no need to hurt myself. There’s really nothing to mention about this album aside from the fact that I did not like it and started getting annoyed with the stupid chants here and there. 2* because it isn’t total shit, but be warned that you probably will want to punch something if you listen to this album twice in a row...
2.0
Ehh it was ok. Sounded like early, worse Cure in places. Most tracks blended together and I kept wanting more. I felt like it was building to something that never came--title of your sex tape--this was epitomized by the song "The Magnificent Five," which started strong then petered out. Top Tracks: "Don't Be Square (Be There)," "Dog Eat Dog"
The only thing British I'm listening to today is The Open sorry.
--Dog Eat Dog...I guess this is technically a song --Antmusic...It's fine. I might put this on an animal themed playlist --Feed Me to the Lions...not a fan --Los Rancheros...this one is more fun. It sounds more professional (?) than earlier tracks... --Ants Invasion...ok I like this one. Good bass groove. The guitar and vocals fit in nicely with it. I would like more of this from the Ants --Killer in the Home...after delivering their tightest track they give us this. Aimless --Kings of the Wild Frontier...this is the lead single? why? this reached no. 2 in the UK? how? --The Magnificent Five...not bad. not good --Don't Be Square...I was excited for about 20 seconds, then the next 3 minutes happened. "You might not like it now but you will." I guess we'll see, Adam --Jolly Roger...a sea shanty? sure --Making History...are the drum parts on each track the same? Vocals not good --The Human Beings...this offers me nothing. Plodding and annoying
Reading the Wikipedia entry this album was a big hit in the UK, which must be why it is on the list. Being from the US I have no nostalgia about this album, and therefore have no sadness in saying it isn’t very good.
Synes det startede rigtig fedt, men pladen bliver mere og mere til den slags new wave der ikke rigtig virker for mig. (Generelt er jeg enig med min ven Matt i at new wave er overrepræsenteret på listen.)
Felt like they were trying to do too much here. Another “not for me” late 70s/early 80s album.
It’s fine. Not great, not bad. Just… fine.
Jesus this hasn't aged well. What were they thinking. To my eternal shame I remember sitting in the back of my mums car arguing with one of teenage 18 year old shop employees and using the phrase "ant music will never die". Some catchy beats at times. A lot of filler and as fake as the costumes in covent gardens. 2 stars for the nostalgia.
More irritating than eccentric
Rockier than I thought, but still new wave-y. Reminds me of Bowie at some points. Okay but nothing spectacular.
Cover ok 1. No. 2. No. 3. No. 4. No. 5. No. 6. No. 7. Almost but No. 8. No. 9. No. 10. Meh. 11. No. 12. No. OVERALL: Fantastic album! Not! Every song is about nothing. It's campy for the sake of campy. Weird and different for the sake of weird and different. If it's about the music then make it instrumental. If it's about the lyrics then make them "about something." Even better, do both. Maybe I just need to be in the mood. This just isn't my cup of tea.
Not for me. Not at all. New wave is rubbish isn't it?
Got more boring as the album went on, don’t know how it is top 1000.
Very very 80s, all just sounds the same. Idk, it’s not my thing and god he sounds annoying!! Though, still listenable.
Chorus - the album. Every instrument is drenched in effects, as a glam hangover throws up all over the new wave. Quite like how much it leans on rhythm! That said, if this is what the Kings of the "wild" frontier sound like I can only imagine what the tame frontier is like... Decent fun, but trying too hard sometimes. Favourite tracks: Ant Invasion, Don't Be Square, Press Darlings (a bonus track, and the best of the lot!)
This one is sort of annoying in an XTC way.
Dog Eat Dog Antmusic Kings of the Wild Frontier
C'est un vrai test d'endurance mental, j'ai jeté l'éponge à la 9e toune, complètement vidé.
I grew up seeing Adam Ant on the TV more as a spectacle than a musician so I never really heard his music, other than 'stand and deliver'. I just generally have a hard time with 80's pop music.
Hmm the low group chorus shouts are a bit much. But otherwise it’s whateva
Not a fan of this band despite the instrumentals being good
Weird as fuck. In a good way, I guess? I didn't dislike what I was hearing, but I was a bit confused