Reviews (page 3 of 7)
Ouais pourquoi pas
Certainly creative and original.
70's rock n' rolllll 🖤
3 cacophonous, enjoyable.
Mer intressant än bra!
exakt så kändes min pms-söndag som slutade med att jag sa till min dotter att det var monster under sängen
Very unique
Interesting!
I keep a running list in my head of the songs that creep in when I'm not thinking about anything. Although I have attempted meditation, my mind does not particularly care for blankness and will fill the space with song or memory of song. It is not quite the same as an earworm, which is something that one hears and then latches onto the inner ear for a while after. Rather, this are pieces of music that are lodged deep in my subconscious that are sucked up into the vacuum when there is nothing else to think about. They might be a little like what scientologists call engrams or whatever the name is for the thing the meditation teacher told me happens when stress bubbles to the surface to escape after one dives deep. These are not necessary my favourite songs by my favourite artists. They are not necessarily songs I think about much or that I listen to at all, but there they are in those strange quiet moments. Chief among them, for some reason, is I Often Dream of Trains by Robyn Hitchcock. Other frequent appearances are made by Quiet by Smashing Pumpkins and I Go To Sleep by the Kinks. And, of course, The Modern Dance by Pere Ubu. I used to keep an actually physically tally, but it became unwieldy and for what purpose. The crucial word in the title track of Pere Ubu's debut album is "Mantra." Indeed, "Mantra mantra." It is the only word I remember clearly. And like an actual mantra it doesn't amount to much as signified nor signifier, it works in action, repeated enough to dissolve into a droning, subtle rhythm. It is very calming, I find. David Thomas does much the same trick throughout the album. Nothing so straightforwardly hypnotic as "mantra mantra," but his singing is frequently indistinct, poorly articulated and, one imagines, not real words at all. Why would they be words, when he, as a rock journalist before the band, knew that critics would hope on the words when they didn't have words of their own to describe the music? When the name of the band itself, Pere Ubu, relates to the mangling of words: Alfred Jarry's proto-surreal play, Pere Ubu, is famous for nothing else than its provocative mispronounced obscenity - merdRe! Maybe The Modern Element had that element of shock when first released. It doesn't now. Shock doesn't last very long. But it can either date itself or become so embedded in the subconscious as to be smoothed into eternity. You don't hear much of Pere Ubu now, but I hear plenty of Pere Ubu in things. The post-punk jitteriness has become a standard pose (and those grooves are much more infectious that what Talking Heads were doing at the time!). The guitars are great. The bass is gorgeous. David Thomas could be singing anything. If he is singing anything in particular, I don't care to know. Let it go, man. Let it dissolve into nothing. Let it all wash over you - the snare, the stings, the breaking glass. Cerulean blue is a calming breeze. Not a favourite album. Not a favourite artist. But it is in there and bubbles to the surface. 3 I really like the high frequency noise in Non-Alignment Pact. I note some of the reviews on the site take issue with this ‘tinnitus’ music - I expect that’s young people. Once you have achieved middle-age - developing some degree of actual tinnitus, depending on how careless you have been with ear protection over the years, and losing a rake of high frequencies in your hearing regardless - this stuff sounds rather sweet. A tickle where once there was a knife stab. There are other noise challenges on Pete Ubu’s debut but in truth very little that can’t be found on perfectly conventional, popular records from ten years before - the more eccentric material from the Beatles and the Beach Boys being the most obvious examples. There is some very nice stuff too. I loved the guitar work on Street Waves and the guitar duet with the oboe (maybe?) on Real World. I found the piano epilogue to Chinese Radiation unexpectedly moving. Laughing tempts you towards a track skip with a full 2 minutes of the Fast Show’s Jazz Club bit before revealing itself as a genuine song with very good lyrics that recall Patti Smith and point ahead to Pixies at the same time. I did think the glass breaking on Sentimental Journey was a little well recorded. It’s like they wanted the listener to know they were *just* breaking glasses with no particular interest in developing a new texture in the speakers, never mind using it musically. That’s bad manners that is. Apparently they are ‘punks’ though so I suppose they must be allowed to stretch their contempt a bit. Note: Young People - wear ear protection! Don’t take your hearing for granted. 2.5/5
There is so much variety in this album— some I liked, some. It so much. Still it was interesting and entertaining and, I imagine, pretty groundbreaking for the 70s.
wow this guy is bad at singing
Nice
Wild, twitchy, and strangely catchy — like early Talking Heads run through a busted Cleveland factory.
It was interesting
(4/7) really not as bad as the screeching sound at the beginning led me to expect
sort of like if the pixies didn't commit to making good music. there's a wackiness to it i really enjoy. high highs and low lows average out to pretty good. favorites are Modern Dance and Humor Me
Enjoyed this for the majority.
Pere Ubu has some pretty pioneering sounds on here. They have a razor-sharp guitar that is in the atonal camp. The vocals are like a mad hillbilly's yee haw. The album is pretty noisy and dissonant, which I swear it made me start hallucinating vocals early on in "Laughing" before they actually started, but no I found out it was just guitar screeches. It has some top notch beats as well. I quite enjoyed this one, it does a good job representing the cynicism in punk music. I would definitely like to revisit this album, I believe this one is a 'grower' sort of albums. Highlight Song/s: "Non-Alignment Pact"
Not sure what to think of this one, but it kept me interested so points for that.
Some great early punk at certain points, but the experimental sections are just a little too out there for me.
6/10
I guess those first 10 seconds serve as a way to get rid of all the "normies" which is clearly indicated by some of asinine reviews here. Very interesting experimental work, super influential for post-punk movement. A few songs a really good and still, despite all of that, I will be giving 3.5 on RYM but 3 stars here.
It's okay, it's fine. It's happily doing its thing leaving me neither loving or hating it, hence the mark of 3. It exists.
Especie de "anti-rock" en su momento. Se nota esa idea de incomodidad y rareza en los sonidos. Es caótico pero no disgusta, me suena a un pescado rabioso (a pesar de que son de 5 años después de Spinetta). Over my head y modern dance estuvieron buenas. Overall, buen álbum.
Interesting. I liked the energy and attitude of this more than most of the New Wave and post punk things I've heard on this list. But as with most avant-garde experimental stuff, I found it easy to admire but hard to enjoy.
I don't get it.
This was actually pretty enjoyable. I liked it way better than Dub Housing. Still a little much at times, but overall a good, cohesive album. Wish I could rate this 3.5, but I’m rounding down because I’m not likely to revisit this. But definitely deserving of its spot on the list.
Oh fucking hell not these guys again. I think the other album I had of theirs was perhaps my number one most hated album on this entire thing, and I'm 920 deep at this point. Ok, let's strap in for this one... So... admittedly the expectation was below the floor, but... this is way better than 'Dub Housing'. Like, way better. There's actual guitar grooves in this, and proper melodies with some semblance to actual song structure. There's even some nice stylistic flourishes that work WITH the songs, can you imagine?? And even though his voice is still kind of weird, it's way less hysterical and jarring in the delivery compared to Dub Housing. They do still seem to have a weird propensity for chucking in random, grating sounds though. I don't know how they settled on 'irritating' as being a key component of things they want to strive for, but there's still plenty of that in there. Strip all that shit out and you have a much better record. I'm SO glad I could sit through this one and actually enjoy bits of it. 2.5 rounded up.
New to band, gave the album two play throughs during work, no songs really stood out to me but I appreciate being able to explore the music and the bit of information I read on Wikipedia about the band, this album, and the lead singer David Thomas. Unclear if I’ll revisit this band personally.
Wow, wasn’t expecting that. Completely off the wall with something different in every track. Would have been a four bit had a few weaker tracks in the second half
2.6
Interesting stuff - you can hear line between punk and new wave being crossed back and forth all over this album. A band I've heard of but never actually listened too. I'd investigate this again, when I'm more in a mood for it.
tiene buenos temas pero no me cautivó
Pretty fun! The scattered sound and rambling lyrics make this stand out- but the full package is just fine
Wtf is this Pretty cool Weird af
A strange precursor to postpunk and new wave. I've never heard any of this before, but I can feel it's influence in later albums. I don't exactly like it, but I also feel like I need to listen to it more. 3 for now.
I was pleased to fill in this gap in my post-punk (avant-garage, according to them) knowledge, having only been dimly aware. Mostly, great. The vocals got a bit much from time to time (Life Stinks) but I can definitely recognise why this would have been influential on some of the great stuff that followed, and it entertained me. Side Two went a bit weird, but the ending of the final track brought it home.
Let's do some crimes. Yeah, let's get sushi and not pay.
Iconic post-punk album from a very influential band. First half is great, but trails off sharply towards the end with nonsense filler in the second half. It's on my shelves. Heard before ✅️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ✅️ ★★★☆☆ (6/10) Total reviewed : 263 Already owned : 61 Purchased : 15 To buy list : 1 Nope : 186
Lowkey abrasive.
Although I liked it, I am not sure if the album is for me completely. I could hear where there have been influences on other music since this album.
Relentless bass, weird singing
Quite enjoyed listening to this, I didn’t have much knowledge or expectation but post punk / art rock and slightly weird albums are usually up my street, so I will come back to this one for sure.
Interesante, distinto, pero no es ninguna maravilla.
It loses me a bit in the final third of the album, but the first 2/3rd feels like a precursor to bands like the Pixies and Violent Femmes, in a way those bands were precursors to the grunge and alt music that were so formative to my youth.
Noise Rock is the perfect label for this album as it features a tone of weird and jarring noises like dissonant guitar and horns, chaotic rhythm sections and rambling singing. While I think all this elements makes the record very unique and even interesting, in reality, it doesn't evoke on me any real emotion. Well, I certainly did feel uncomfortable sometimes, but I'm having a hard time trying to understand what type of emotion or message they want to portray. Fortunately, cacophony is not the only thing this album offers. There are some nice rock riffs and some catchy choruses in here that blend very well with the noise. Some great examples are the opening "Non-Alignment Pact", "Modern Dance" and "Street Waves". However, there are some pure chaotic and jarring moments that I can't say I really, specially the horns in "Laughing", the never starting "Over My Head" and, most notably, the anarchic "Sentimental Journey". Overall, this projects may be a bit of a mess, but there were some decent moments and interesting ideas.
What a crazy album!
It has some great bits and some more challenging bits, certainly feels ahead of its time, overall enjoyed it, probably not something I'll listen to in a hurry though
first listen low enjoyment
top 3 - Sentimental Journey, Non-Alignment Pact, Chinese Radiation.
Kinda manic and chaotic, couldn't tell you what the hell the singer is saying, but i like the overall vibe
Some really, really great stuff in here. Also some misses. A band I would like to get to know more.
Art punk album that influenced the likes of the Pixies, Husker Du et al. Mix of songs some of which sound a bit like British scene from 76/7. Couple of memorable tracks and one of the better albums in the Pere Ubu catalogue.
iViva la experimental! A lot of reviews at the time said the good outweighs the bad. But I think the "bad" is still good. It had major influence on other experimental, math rock bands.
Some really cool songs and then some others that should have been left on the cutting room floor
Þetta var bara mun betra en reviews segja til um. En það er nú oftar en ekki. Hresst og gott post-punk.
punky and cool enough to get a good listen. I'll be happy enough to never put this on again though.
Non-Alignment Pact - 5/5 The Modern Dance - 4/5 Laughing - 2/5 Street Waves - 4/5 Chinese Radiation - 2/5 Life Stinks - 1/5 Real World - 4/5 Over My Head - 3/5 Sentimental Journey - 1/5 Humor Me - 5/5 Average score: 3.1/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ whether or not i enjoyed this or not, i'm really not sure. all i can say right now is this was an experience i hear influences from the like of Frank Zappa/Mothers of Invention for sure, or maybe Captain Beefheart? idk, this was some weird shit. not quite The Residents-level of weird, but still quite odd. maybe this will grow on me with more listens i do think this is something you should hear before you die if experimental is your thing, or to test your tolerance
Can see why it's popular with some people. Some real miss songs. The hits didn't grab me. But pretty good all around
Not gonna lie it was not my favorite… but it was cool. It was different than anything I’ve listened to. Lots of screaming chickens and stuff
Weird, and I don’t love a lot of the noises, but I like when this list gets weird and it settles into some nice grooves eventually.
The first listen at 7 am on a cold winter morning made me dread relistening to this. When I eventually did get around to giving it another chance, I actually really enjoyed some songs. Can't give it more than a 3 though because there is a 6 minute song of glass smashing on top of unbearable dissonance.
-this was a really interesting album. definitely need to listen again at some point bc idk how well i absorbed it, but i liked what i heard -big fan of the more experimental instrumentation, i can imagine the impact that made on the post-punk scene this album helped establish -Favorites: Non-Alignment Pact, Street Waves
People who hated this immediately probably had their volume up too high for the screeching in the first track Modern Dance: undeniably goat-like vocals
Sounds more modern to me than year would suggest. Good soundscapes and moments. Would be good background music as well. Unsure what to think of this one.
I’ve heard worse
Previously rated: #1,018 - Dub Housing (3/5) ******************************** Album #1,019 I randomly got their two albums back to back. Makes it easier to compare the two, at least. This one seemed a bit jazzier, and maybe a little bit better overall. Still, those vocals can really get on my nerves. I'm glad it was on the short side. I'm glad I heard it, but I probably will not listen again.
Gostaria de entender quem escolheu os álbuns dessa lista. Experiência divertida. Me lembrou Cap n Jazz.
Hectic
Interesting
Guys can be experimental if they want i guess but if they’re gonna make bad noises they BETTER be funny…. Pere Ubu you live to see another day
70s new-wave. LOVE [esque]. Again, another possible grower.
Not awful, but not really something I'd listen to again
Still gets points for being one of the most notable bands to come out of Cleveland. But some of this stuff is a little inaccessible. Still - pretty badass in a lot of ways.
I don’t think I’ll ever understand why discordant noise with a rock backing makes me feel good - is it just that I can’t tune out of it and am forced to listen to the music? - but this is an awesome example of that genre. Strong 3.
Thoughts before listening: I've always thought that Pere Ubu was a musician (or is it a band?) that I would enjoy. However, I feel like there was an earlier album in this project that didn't really work for me. Anyway, I'm expecting some post-punk weirdness here. Review: Nevermind, I haven't had a Pere Ubu album before. I pretty much nailed the sound though. Why is the bass always the most important instrument in these post-punk bands? It's certainly the case here, with the low end up front in the mix and lots of fun little lines through out. Some of these songs work well for me while others are on the wrong side of weird. I'm giving this 3-stars.
nice enough
I don't know that I'd go out of my way to listen to this again, but I can appreciate it musically and for what it represented at the time it was released.
3.0 - Ok
6/10 They sound like they are having fun, so good for them. Wish they didn't do that tone on the first song. 12-19-2025
Wonderfully weird. Sentimental journey was unnecessary but other than that this was a cool album. Loved the use of dissonance.
This highly influential album sounds like punk meets art installation. There’s a lot of musique concrète style found-sound and abstract atmospherics which sometimes seems at odds with the punk ethos which otherwise pervades this record. The lyrics evoke the love songs of the last couple on earth, living in the debris of a collapsed civilisation. It’s bleak, as proper punk was meant to be. It’s instrumentally assured and lyrically clever which was always problematic for the punk pioneers, for whom unpracticed immediacy was a hallmark of authenticity and a large part of the charm. They do have an admirable indifference to pop appeal - there are no ear worms here. More a historical artefact than a must hear album in its own right.
This one was ok. Pretty interesting. 3 stars.
classic and sometimes funny
If you told me this was TV On The Radio’s first album, I’d believe you. And then I’d tell you that their other albums are better.
quirky brilliance
once again we have a problem because truly this is a 3.5 album. the issue really is how i gave other earlier reviews a 3 that they were not in fact deserving of. i have to now speak my truth and admit both the fall and the manic street preachers deserved a 2. i’m sorry to say it but that’s how i feel. this album is the one that deserves a 3 (really a 3.5). particularly enjoyed chinese radiation and am on my third listen of that. how can i give an album a mere three if i am currently replying one song for the third time? easy. that song just happens to be the best. the rest are good but not in a life shattering way. the instrumental in this is beyond though. that twang of the mmmmmmmh … mmmmmmmh. you’ll know it when you hear it. non alignment pact is also good but nowhere near close to chinese radiation. what the hell the lyrics mean i don’t know, don’t ask me.
This reminded me of wire but in a captain beefheart way.
Pretty good, in an odd sort of way.
Nice surprise. Not what I was expecting but did enjoy it..... I think.
2.6 2x not great but background for Dog Star Man on plane to SFO
Kul album, zanimljiv spoj panka, proga, na trenutke i psihodelije, a ima malo i Talking Heads vibe. Lajkam! 3/5, 6/10
Not mad about this.
Ngl they almost lost me with that recorder song. 2.5
6/10
Appreciate the energy and punk riffs, hard to stomach his voice at times.
3 - actually kinda liked it
Ok not my taste
Way out there album filled with oddities
*confused* the first two songs are your average punk song but when the goddamn awful noiseful bagpipes hit it become suddenly unlistenable. 3/5
Great vibes but uneven
Exactly what I’m here for, good stuff I’ve never heard of. Enjoyed it enough to go and listen to another of theirs.
Honestly, kinda liked Dub Housing more. 3.5/5
You guys know me. I like loud. I like weird. But something tells me you got to be in the right mood for this album, and I guess I just wasn't. Cool sound though, fellas!
The Modern Dance let me know that it was safe to dip my toe into the Pere Ube appreciation pond. I also appreciate the "avant garage" descriptor. But do I actually like the album? I am ambivalent. The title track is an earworm. I can also vibe with a slow burn like "Over My Head" or the avant ska "Humor Me." But I am not down with the non song "Sentimental Journey."
I didn't even know you could impersonate Yoko Ono on so many instruments. Kind of impressive. Most of this is pretty solid, but some is soooo bad.
This wasn't as bad as I had anticipated! The straightforward parts were just fine, and it was experimental enough to gain respect. However, much of the record didn't necessarily sound good. Still though, essential for post punk. 2.7/5 - 3/5
These guys heard Television and Devo and started a band
Experimental experience
While they aren't always as good as song of the best albums on the list, it is absolutely essential to include such formative albums like this one. Albums that help develop a new genre belong on here for sure. That's not to say this is a bad album, because it is pretty good overall.
I appreciate the experimentation and kaleidoscope of sounds on this weird-ass record. It certainly makes for an interesting listen. Sentimental Journey is particularly wild. While interesting, I don’t feel overly compelled to come back to it, which isn’t ideal for an album that definitely demands close listening.
caotico, diverso
The opening track, despite its ear-deafening shrilling noise at the start, is a drivingly good punk track in the vein of Dickies. It continues like this for the first half of the album. Great songs spiced with weirdness. The tracks on the second half aren’t as good, weirdness without the songs to back it, but the bass and drums keep a high standard throughout.
Interesting and enjoyable.
weird
Album 913 of 1089 Pere Ubu- The Modern Dance (1978) Rating : 3 / 5 I’ve been fed a bit of post-punk lately, and this one rises closer to the top of the pile. It’s got that raw, jagged edge the genre is known for, but with just enough experimentation to make it interesting without going completely off the rails. There’s a quirky, art-rock feel running through it that gives it more personality than some of the others I’ve heard, and it definitely stands out as a unique listen. Not every track landed for me, but overall, this is one of the stronger post-punk albums I’ve come across in this project so far.
Interesting enough to keep my attention and doesn't outstay its welcome. I can see the blueprint here for some bands which would follow and, ultimately, do it better.
Твърде много постпънк ми дойде и на мен
Interesante, pero...
This is definitely... something. Some songs are weirder than others. Most are weird though. The voice of the singer is rather "unique". But it does rock.
This was a pleasant surprise. Not in the sense that I looooooved it, but in the sense that based on the band name (which I had not heard of before), the album title, and the album art I was expected this to be some kind of real shitty French avant garde music. When it turned out to be a sort of raw punk album I couldn't have been happier. I wished I liked it more though.
Maybe just a little too avant-garde for me.
Despite being more straightforward and less overtly weird I’m not sure I liked this quite as much as Dub Housing? Still some good instrumental moments and odd soundscapes that made it an interesting listen and a template for more arty post-punk bands.
Pretty good, from memory I think this is more experimental than the other album, which I think is ok sometimes, but often devolves into random noises. The synths are quite interesting, and usually used more as a texture, in a similar way to silver apples. The singer is a bit mixed, sometimes the yelling and non-traditional singing works, but often not also. The guitars are good. I think some parts are very ahead of their time just because of how experimental it is. Favourite songs: non-alignment pact, street waves, over my head. Overall around 6/10
fan jag får ge det här en trea. jävligt gött sound. dom stökiga låtarna med bara oljud är sämst. hade det varit utan dom hade det lätt varit en fyra.
1006 albums ago, when I heard my first Pere Ubu album, I didn't expect to be hearing another 4 years on. But here we are. I gave Dub Housing a puny 2 stars, but I'm giving this a mighty 3. Why? Maybe it's because I've become more charitable in my old age. Maybe its because, as their debut album, this one feels more pioneering. But I think it's mostly because The Modern Dance is bigger on actual tunes and smaller (with the notable exception of Sentimental Journey) on extended passages of experimental noise.
Ok, rock ochentero , "proto" post-punk.
I simultaneously loved and hated this album. There was a song that used smashing plates as an instrument for god sakes. I also have no desire to ever hear it again.
The music is a bit annoying at times. Overall, however, I found the album surprisingly interesting. I would like to give it 4 stars. But if I apply the criterion of whether I would like to listen to it again, I have to refrain from doing so. It's a bit too exhausting. 3/5
Haha what an awful way to open an album. This weirdly grew on me but I tend to like experimental music. I was watching Becketts plays on film the weekend so I'm probably in the right head space for this kinda stuff. I can see how this would have influenced bands like Pixies and Joy Division. Is this music easy to listen to and super accessible? No. Does this deserve a place on the list? Yes. I'll take this any day over Donald Fagens solo work. 3/5.
I feel like this is an album that requires a few listens to really get into. I liked what I heard but nothing stuck out as something I wanted to immediately return to.
A pretty good album, I liked Street Waves the most.
Cool early post-punk. 1978 is eaaaaarly for something that sounds so sparse and angular (gang of four, wire-esque).
Very interesting but challenging album to listen to. Probably leans a bit too much into the experimental elements for me to want to listen again.. there are quite frequent breakdowns of guitar noise which makes it unique albeit wears thin a little
Weird and decent. Lands in mid territory. The end is definitely questionable.
I would call this new wave. But I suspect that's a bit old fashioned. They would play well on Triple J. Or maybe they would have ten or more years ago... I must be getting too old for this.
201/1089 - This sounds like art punk.
not what i was expecting at all but it was good noise
Non-alignment pact has some sick rock to start with Figuring out if i'm a fan of lowkey rock (for the lack of better word)
eh, its okay
OKish.
Initially jarring, but once you get past that, it's a pretty fun album.
Musically interesing and energetic. There is a vague familiarity to a lot of the songs. Not in the sense that I have heard them before, but rather that they are like songs I have heard before. I enjoyed the music more than the vocals and the lyrics but there was a little something here. 3.5.
Listens: 3 Standout tracks: Sentimental Journey, Real World, Chinese Radiation. Well, that was certainly something. What genre do we call this? Experimental rock? Post-punk and grunge? Experimental, post-punk grunge-rock. Yea! Does qualifying the genre even begin to truly classify or quantify what I just listened to? Does it even matter? I have so many questions about this album, but honestly, maybe you just take it for what it is and just sort of go along for the ride. Loud horn instruments resembling honking geese or dying... something, mumbling lyrics, grungy guitar, bass and drums. Sounds of someone just periodically shattering glass bottles... perhaps an alcoholic. I actually didn't hate this. I would even say I dislike it. I won't, however, be adding this to my rotation. I think this album just exists in a place and space entirely on its own. Perhaps it is like a violet accident on the opposite side of the highway. A train wreck. Something you just can't look away from. You stare at it. Marvel at it. And then move on with your day.
There are too many to keep up with on TikTok.
I probably didn't give this the concentration it deserved. I'm not sure if that extra concentration would have increased or decreased my enjoyment. I'm going with quirky and fine. I don't see myself going back to re-listen with that heightened concentration.
Not what I expected but not terrible. I’m much more of a punk fan than post-punk / new wave, but this has enough punk about it that it is listenable to. Once.
Was not expecting arty post punk from pere ubu, this was a pleasant surprise at least to begin with. Ran out of steam towards the end, first half were good songs that were a bit weird and the second half was all weird no good bits. Enjoyable enough without a need to return.
A funny, yet enjoyable mix of Beach rock and Punk ~ feels like if the E Street Band and the The Velvet Underground merged (probably a strange definition). MODERN DANCE is a super catchy track! Along with that sweet bass intro in LIFE STINKS. Overall, a high quality punk-beach-art amalgam.
Unique and a little refreshing but not earth shattering
This album definitely has its peaks and valleys. Real World is most definitely a valley, but then at the same time, the phrase "Out in the real world" might definitely stick to me as an ear worm. I think I hate that. This is one of the albums of all time. It's interesting, it's experimental, it shines, and it crashes and burns. A little bit of everything!
Once I got over the structure and the vocals in track one, this ended up being a lot of fun. Not sure I'd go back to it any time soon, but I don't regret giving it a chance. It's very post-punk with a focus on so pushing the boundaries of what music should be, and I do love an album that takes risks.
Hard and energetic at times, definitely with a punk feel. The music is pretty cool, and the tracks offer some experimental sounds and compositions throughout. This was a unique one I'd never heard of before, but I dig it.
Too avant garde for me but still cool
Some good points throughout the album however you have songs like laughing which I’m hoping they put in to make me laugh that kinda drag down the experience
Very annoying droning song to begin; enjoyed when drum took over!
Different. Would maybe look at other albums. I liked a lot of the guitar work
why do i have the best time with the weird albums
Angry harsh sound, discordant wall, cacophonous including wild reed instruments, breaking glass. Overall a fun time, the highs are worth it. Modern lovers meets Black Saint and The Sinner Lady meets the Damned. Simple, inane punk adjacent lyrics, repeated ominously for effect.
definitely unique. there's moments on this album that sound so crazy weird that it almost tricks into liking it, but i actually don't really get it if im being honest. imma say this isn't a must-hear but i can see myself in the future finally figuring this album out and absolutely loving it, because there are a really cool glimmer of brilliant surreal artistry. the whole atmosphere of sentimental journey is absolutely insane. i love the manic energy of street waves. all the weird electronic background are so weird and uneasy. but i'd be lying if i said it sounded good all throughout. I don't hate it but I feel like I've heard albums likely influenced by this one that do that weird off-kilter noisy shit far better. Bands like sprain (specifically their last album) and maybe early black midi come to mind (probably bad comparisons i haven't listened to them in a bit) do this type of thing far better like 40 or so years later.
The first 29 seconds is pure tinnitus. It stays difficult. I would like this more if the singing was not so awful. This album is like a deconstructed cheese cake. Good post punk songs wilfully pulled apart to create something smug. Sabotage! The problem is, they are actually doing something really interesting/good. If only they could hold back a little bit or focus on one consistent style. It is so far ahead of its time: think Sonic Youth, Swans, Black Midi. Their own bio describes: absurdist … self-destructing melodies, scattershot rhythms, and industrial-strength dissonance. Talent for sure, but they don’t want to make it easy to enjoy [self destructing being the operative term]. At 3:40 on Laughing - the lead singer makes a stupid sound like an ostrich and then giggles. Even in the context of this album it’s annoying. Real World is much the same. Street Waves and Chinese Radiation are just great tracks. Imagine it just held that for 35 minutes. The highs are there for sure. This may the only album to which I award a 3 star that I would happily/gladly never listen to again. If Pere Ubu lost the absurdist streak and actually sang the songs , this would be a great great band. Alas … Sentimental journey takes the absurdist style to absolute breaking point. Several minutes of smashing (sounds like) vases. An oboe playing on drone. The synths that evoke - to me - the sound of a dial up modem. The lyrics provided don’t match those sung. “At home, it’s a rug, it’s a window … it’s an [indiscernible noise]. This is not enjoyable. The. Humor Me let’s you off the hook with a good track to finish. A fascinating album nonetheless. Low 3/5
Ska Not my type
A very sharp journey.
Definitely strange, but I kind of liked it. Feels raw, homemade, and interesting. High 3?
It's ok, I dont like the singer's voice too much.
Yes
"Non-Alignment Pact" & "Modern Dance" are two great but similar songs. I'm enjoying all of the anthem-style singing sections, as well as all the experimental guitar and synth parts. The piano is sweet too. I can't really tell what's happening on "Chinese Radiation", but I do like it. The last few songs got a little too experimental for me. I think I liked this album, but it was all the place and very odd. I liked the first half more than the second half. 6/10
You can’t debate their influence - a lot of this sound carried forward. You can’t tell me the big New Wave acts had never heard this singing, for example. But the grating noises are just too unpleasant for repeat listening, so while it has my respect it doesn’t have a high rating
Some interesting stuff and cool tunes on here. The experimentation works well on some tracks, but isn't always consistently good
I don't know what this is (mating rituals for the modern age?) but I kinda like it.
On paper this should be something I’d like - raw unfiltered post punk - but somehow it didn’t win me over. Maybe more listens - but then I’m not one to force myself to like an album.
Probably quite influential on stuff i love (various post punk and art rock) but a bit too severe and sparse for me on one listen (is this no wave?) Could grow to a 4.
There're interesting parts here and there, but otherwise these track just kind of feel meandering. 2.5 bumped up to 3.
3/5. From the get go, with the high pitched drone, it was not great. As the album continued, I found myself appreciating the post punk scene some more, and realized that some bands I enjoy today definitely got influence from this band like Viagra Boys and Black Midi. The songs themselves have charm to them and there is a sense of curiosity involved which feeling confident in their musical choices. It does not always land but the confidence is there. The album is not a 5/5, like all these critics are saying, so if I could talk to one of them to ask what they are listening to, that would be great. It was still better than expected and might listen to it again once I mentally prepare. Best Song: The Modern Dance, Real World, Street Waves
This was a cool punk rock album that I've never heard of before, it definitely was good but peppered in with huh? And what am I listening to? Lol but over all good album!
Art rock/post-punk from the late 1970s. It started off really strong but then the more avantgarde and experimental songs were harder to digest. I appreciate the unique sound, though, but perhaps I would need more listens to enjoy it more.
big wacky, more interesting cool vocals but chaotic
Fav: Street Waves Least Fav: Life Stinks By far the most unique album I’ve come across so far, and I actually somewhat like it? Maybe it’s because I listened to it whilst in a bad mood but the craziness spoke to me and I enjoyed it. Whilst I think it goes a little too off the rails in the middle, it pulls around for an overall satisfying experience. Very happy I listened to something this unique
Definitely interesting and unlike really anything I’ve heard before. Not sure how I’m supposed to dance to this though
Have on vinyl: No Fav song: Modern Dance Notes: Takes some getting used to. I was at one point at a 1, then a 2, ended with a 3 after more listens.
Initial impression was "that's gonna be a no for me, dog." And then I listened again. And again. And again, and goddamn if this one didn't grow on me Avant garde can work for me, at times, and "Over My Head" (oh, the irony) is a keeper, Street Waves is great.
There's some tracks with weird noises, detracts from the album as a whole
Can see how this was influential
Quite experimental and risky. Considering the year it was released, this band Instead of going full punk rock, which would be the easy option, they orbit towards other fields and in a way, commit some sort of commercial suicide. The record has interesting ideas, and they are definitely trying to explore new areas. Curious record and, for me, inaccessible due to the randomness that exudes. Some parts are In line with other acts of late 70's. The band, seems to be uninterested in catching a broader audience, instead, they are investing their efforts in a sort of artistic pursue. I can see somehow their influence on indie acts of the 80's. Some songs (may not be actually songs), are just sonic landscapes, cinematic in some ways. I don't imagine myself listening to them a lot.
A bit odd but kind of liked it for being different
I knew him from the 80th.
He’s got a strange voice but quite enjoyable overall 7/10
Interesting. Avant garde, slightly punky. Might listen again 3/5
Fun
Kind of okay.
Don't mind that it's weird, but the album never feels like it lands anywhere. There are many elements of something good here but nothing that would compel me to listen again.
So much better than the other Pere Ubu album on this list. This one actually has melodies!
Punky and kinda fun.
A fascinating album for sure and I can see how it's pretty influential. It reminds me of a number of contemporary bands I listen to, so despite being from the 70's, it still sounds fresh. It's not a great listen though haha. (15 known/29 new)
Like Talking heads but tripping balls
I had to listen to this a few times to “get it”. It didn’t help that they start the album with an evil noise for the first 33 seconds. WHY?? Once that is over there is wildly inventive music and some good beats, but it is challenging at first listen. And in the case of the track Sentimental Journey, it is challenging every time. But man some of the other tracks I know I’ll want to listen to again! A three star rating from me usually means the album is very middle of the road. This album is anything but that! But it has some high highs and low lows, so this is where we end up.
Sounds like they were drunk when they recorded this haha I liked the first half
Two albums in one year? As with the other one, I appreciate it.
The first two songs are straight heaters but then when you get into the third track "Laughing" you get into some free jazz nonsense that is off-putting. "Street Waves" gets things back on track and offers some sweet guitar licks. "Life Stinks" features the record's most unhinged moments that's for sure. "Over My Head" is an absolute snoozer of a song. The worst song off this record with "Sentimental Journey" not too far behind. That song absolutely sucks. By the time I got to the closer "Humor Me" I was already checked out with this album.
Mixed feelings on this one. Some absolutely great songs (Non-Alignment Pact, Modern Dance, Humor Me) mixed in with some garbage (Laughing, Sentimental Journey)
Reminds me of the birthday party. Interesting, but not something I'll listen to again.
This was an interesting listen. I didn't hate it but some of it was challenging to listen to. This is kind of like a weirder Talking Heads sound to me.
This is super fine.
I appreciated this more than enjoyed it. The most interesting parts are the leats fun to listen to.
Listened Before? N A messy early punk album! I love it! Some crappy parts, and kinda died in the second half but mostly cool here. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Modern Dance
An interesting album. Not sure if I retained anything, but it wasn’t bad to listen to. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Some parts were bad to listen to but that's beautiful, I do want to listen to their other stuff now.
This is a great example of this project - I don’t consider myself a total idiot about music but this was a band I had truly never heard of before! I wasn’t expecting much but then the first half of this album ended up being some really fun punk/new wave/Talking Heads style songs with just a sprinkle of Zappa and acid jazz here and there. Definitely one of a kind. The back half of the album lost the melodic nature of the first and got weirder and more experimental, and I didn’t find that as interesting, so only three stars, but I’m glad I got a chance to listen to this!
ahaa eli kaksi albumia tältä bändiktä! oli tarpeellista! kyllä. erittäin influe tiaalinen itseasiassa one of the american undergpdrund most infulential bands,pere ubu expresses the angst and chaos of their times with apocalyptic fervor... hei! Los Angelesissa on 491 kuukausittaista kuuntelijaa! Tältä bändiltä selvästi otettu niin paljon vaikutteita.. kun kukaan ei ole unohtanut.. ei ole mahdollista että kirjantekijä kännipäissään laittoi kaksi näiltä koska vittu keksi tuhatta albumia ssaatana laita joku vaan mikä se oli, mikä se ööö, se pere ubu,, mitä vittua niillä nyt oli.. laita yks semmone markku siihen listaan taas.. laita markku lisää niitä vaikka vittu päästään helvettiin tästä keilahallista non-alignment pact
I'm conflicted with this album. Clearly ahead of its time and very influential, but at the same time seemingly deliberately random and annoying
ohh fun!!! han iwie nöd punk erwartet laughing arrsch jaa für mich ischs nachli zu unzämmrhängend? HAHAHAH LIFE STINKS SEEEHR FUNNY jaa sehr vill random gaggi, mengisch findis arsch, mengisch findis cool hahah humor me gitmer chli viagraboys vibes hahahah jaa paar sehr cooli sache, paar sache wo eifach da sind. 3
3 stars
Dithering between 3 and 4 for this but ultimately I think it's probably a 3. I like this genre though. It's my second Pere Ubu album and I've been pleasantly surprised by both of them.
Man I heard this just over a week ago and don't remember a damn thing. OK listening . It is nice, doesn't sound like much else of the time. Nirvanish at poiunts.
This is a very curious record. Very out-there rock music with a very unique blend of dance-y groove and punk-y vocals. Not very accessible, but quite the unique experience. Great choice to include this type of experimental rock music Key tracks: Nonalignment Pact The Modern Dance
It contains the level of experimentalism in the fringe zone before becomes too strange and not enjoyable. I liked it, even though I'll probably forget it in some days.
I struggled a bit with Dub Housing when I listened to it a while ago, but this one was a lot more immediately accessible. I feel like I could like this even more on repeat listenings, and I’m interested to see how the follow-up hits me when we revisit it. “Non-Alignment Pact” is such a banger. 3.5/5
I've got an idea, lets form a band and wilfully make the most ugly, unappealing music. Bob on lead bagpipes, Dave on acoustic pots and pans, Rick on electric toothbrush and John on another planet. I'm not sure how much I actually enjoyed this experiment but kudos for the attempt at breaking the mold.
Didn't always work but there are sparkles of brilliance
Not bothered, mate.
The Modern Dance is a fitting title, at the time it was the frontier of punk music. The album opens with almost unbearable feedback, the general mood of manic is non stop. Chinese revolution is a personal highlight. Requires more listens. 6.1/10
3.5
I hate the vocals, but kind of think the musical ideas are a bit interesting. Low 3 stars
3.5
This was weird, but there was a really cool groove behind all the weirdness. It's like they started with something and were like, "that's cool, but let's see what kinda crazy shit we can add to it" - and I appreciated it.
i guess i should like this but meh
This surprised me. I've heard of Pere Ubu but every time I tried to listen to them it didn't hit. This did. 4 plays today and I'll go back for more. Surprisingly emotional.
The first song was terrible but the album really blossomed after that. Decent punk album
If I'm trying to get proggy weird...King Crimson/Yes is far more listenable. I give them credit for not being just bad punk--they are trying to do something different. Some of the songs are nonsense. "Modern Dance" is my favorite track. If I still lived in Brooklyn I'd pick up girls at Union Pool with "I know TV On the Radio is cool but have you listened to 'Modern Dance' by Pere Ubu....white guys did it first, heh". I would go home alone sad on the G train.
I appreciate the avante-garde ambitions of the band and the uniqueness of the sound (in parts), but don't individually like any song enough to return to it. Some of what they do is cool and interesting, but occasionally they go off the rails in ways that somehow feel predictable, almost rote. Like if you were reading out the song structure, some parts would just read (insert dissonance here). Some of it reminds me a little of some the Velvet Underground's most annoying songs (Venus in Furs). Definitely hear some Animal Collective and TV on the Radio too, though that's mostly in the vocals. Song for song, this is probably a 2.5 (a 4 for the first half, then a 1 for the back half where it starts to really drag), but I'll round up because they did manage to create a unique sound that works in places.
A mixture of “pretty cool” avant garde punk rock and senseless noise. Chinese Radiation and Over My Head reminded me a bit of the Velvet Underground. A bit of Can too. Songs like Laughing and Sentimental Journey were trying to go crazy with horns and avant garde sounds and are barely listenable. All in all, I love this kind of album experience. This truly is unique and takes a little work to love or even appreciate. Ill label with 3 stars because it has gotten better on a second listen (2.5 stars rounding up). Im seeing how it couldve influenced bands in the 90s, but not 80s 😂
I did not know Pere Ubu. I liked the punk every. There were a handful of songs that I loved, but offset by a few things that were irritating. I'll come back to some of the good stuff, but I won't listen to the full album again.
While I rated them the same, I found this a much better listening experience than was "Dub Housing." This was less challenging, though still struck me as equally experimental and unconventional. But the songs, music, and vocals were more palatable and relatable. That said, I can't say I loved the album. This was a worthy inclusion, as an introduction to what appears to be an underground but influential band. So while this rose to a 3.5 on my personal scale, I'm not in love with it enough to give it the bump in the star rating.
I appreciate this album more than I like it. Their second album, Dub Housing, is a favorite of mine, but I could never really get into this one. Something about the production or the groove just kept this one out of reach for me. I enjoyed it more today. Well, "enjoyed" isn't quite the word, but I got it more. The first few tunes clicked with me better today than before. But it's still an unpleasant album to listen to, and that's saying something because I enjoyed Throbbing Gristle. So anyway, 3 stars for the concepts and the influence, but it's not one I'll be returning to. Not when Dub Housing and New Picnic Time are there for me.
Better than expected, enjoyed the title song
This was the most losing my edge album of the losing my edge albums so far. 3/5
Day 53 - October 20th, 2024 Meh. 3/5
Creative and funny! But in terms of music not so interesting.
Interesting. Never heard of these blokes. I'm hearing some Tunde type vocals there on Modern Dance. Maybe some Oxbow. Strange album, but I'm glad I've heard it. Humor Me was a good ending song, and my favorite.
Mad this came out in the 70s.
Modern Dance is a strange album with a lot of weird background noises behind every song. Chinese Radiation has a lot of crowd noise with a somber ending. Real World is fun. Sentimental Journey = breaking empty 40s in a back alley. Overall, the album is a little too weird for me, but not a bad 70s debut effort. Definitely some musical instruments being used to create noise. (3.3*s)
Well, this was an album out of left field. A bit noisy, a bit strange, a bit out of tune but wow, what a trip. I did not know what to expect from this but based on the band name and the Spotify pic...I thought I was getting some boring foreign instrumentals. Right off the bat I was surprised and annoyed by the ear piercing feed back but the album got wild and out there and I was all for it. Lead singer sounds like another artist I can't put my finger on (Gary Glitter?). Got some sax appearance that sounded like it was either John Zorn or John Estrella. Didn't think a band could influence the Butthole Surfers but Pere Ubu must have. This prob makes Mom's top (bottom) album from the list-list. For me it's getting a 3.47 and I will be exploring more from these guys.
I am going out on a limb here, but I bet Thurston Moore was really into this record.
It's okay. But mostly just two good (not great) songs. I suspect that this being a debut album has impacted it's rating on "Best of" lists. It's not bad, but it's not great either. 3 stars.
There is some very interesting bits of music in here. However there's some just throwing crap at the wall and seeing what sticks as well. Those parts are a little tough. It's barely over a 1/2 hour long so it never get's unbearable.
Art rock that with some cutting could be a very listenable record, clearly not what they were going for. I’d listen again but with a finger in the fast forward button.
Q: You know what the best part of Cleveland is... A: It's not Detroit. I don't think that's necessarily true. I'd much rather visit Detroit, home of Motown, Jack White and easy access to Canada. No. Despite Cleveland being the capital of the infamous 'Steamer' there aren't (m)any claims the city has to offer outside of perhaps the invention of "flammable river". And, while Pere Ubu isn't on fire, and they don't sound like shit, they are bit of a 'hot mess' and (coincidentally) hail from the city of Cleveland. Pere Ubu is one of those bands you hear your punk-nerd musician friends name-drop while talking about Kurt Cobain's 'inspiration' and why Nirvana is still the best band in the world. The truth is, that unless you're into irritating and obtuse noise art, or exploring the history of rock, finding beauty and inspiration in this is as elusive as finding a reason to visit Cleveland n the winter. But some people still do it.
Fed energi og lækker støj! Vokalen er lidt en acquired taste..
Not as bad as other reviews make it out to be. Definitely not as good, either.
Very strange album, still not disgusting
Really strange but really catchy. I kept saying "what the hell is this?" while listening, and half the time it was positive, half the time it was negative.
This album did not capture me as much as Dub Housing.
I like the grooving parts best, while a track like Sentimental Journey is not my cup of tea.
The soundtrack to ADHD. "I like this genre and this genre and oh look there goes someone on a bike, I like bikes"
A little less than a year ago, I reviewed Pere Ubu's Dub Housing, and I hated it with every ounce of my being. I really hated David Thomas's vocals, and I just could appreciate anything about the album. And then I found out that I would have to review another Pere Ubu album at some point, and I've been dreading it ever since. I've had a week full of albums that I haven't really enjoyed much, so I guess this is a pretty fitting album for this Friday. Well, no since in delaying the inevitable I guess... This was actually much better than I could have hoped for. I still hated David Thomas's singing, but I really liked the guitar playing and the overall chaotic energy of the album. That initial screeching feedback on "Non-Alignment Pact" nearly made me want to punch a wall, but once the song got going, I enjoyed it. I can really appreciate this album as an important part of post-punk music, and I found it really interesting that Pere Ubu took pieces of traditional punk rock, but used them to build something completely different. It's like taking a Lego set of a house, but using the pieces to build a boat instead. The odd song structures were really great too, and lent themselves to some really out-there experimentation. This isn't the type of album I'd probably be quick to listen to again, but it's made me want to revisit Dub Housing, which is a hell of an achievement. I appreciate what this album means to rock music and how it earned a place on this list.
First half is pretty good. Falls away quite a bit in the second half though. ‘Sentimental Journey’ is especially shit, bordering on ear rape. A bit of a mixed bag then overall. Great when its good, dire when it’s bad.
Moments: "Street waves", the first part of "Life stinks". Some of them very punk-like.
im feelin nothin
Souvent dissonant et impertinent, mais toujours avec une dose de légèreté.
This isn’t really my music, and I doubt I’ll listen to it again, but I can see the appeal. There’s something about this album that really draws you in.
Pretty good. Different, but not in a bad way. I would not have an issue listening to this again, I'm sure I missed some things.
The intro to the first song on this album legitimately made me think my stereo was broken. The rest of the album was okay, though (but just okay).
Messy and arresting art. I'm not sure 'enjoy' is quite the right word but I was invested and engaged
Couldn’t put my finger on whether this is good or not. It’s quirky and a bit mystifying. No tracks to call standouts, but nothing overly bad either. I feel unsettled listening to it, maybe that’s the point.
3.7
Yeah alright not bad
Meh…
It okay but a bit dated.
I am a big Indy, punk, post-punk and alternative fan but I found this a bit hit and miss
Music from the mental asylum! I'm sure all the peeps here will hate ol' Pere.
It opened up a little on multiple listenings. I often like the idea of stripped-down punk like this, without thinking that the results are particularly, well, listenable or enjoyable. It’s not offensive, though, but also not particularly challenging. In the long run, I’m happy that it’s in my world, even if it’s unlikely to hold a cherished place.
3.3
First time listen again. Strange, but interesting.
Didn’t give me riled up.
Это опыт, который надо принять и который нельзя оценить. Чтобы я не поставил - к этому можно легко докопаться. Поэтому я ставлю 3 как оценку, которую легко можно отправить вправо или влево в зависимости от состояния Алкоальбом: твой любимый коктейль но с перцем чили
Ну звучит это как пиздец. А если это звучит как пиздец - ищите Captain Beefheart в референсах. Это надо прожить и пережить. Но ещё что хочется заметить : они очень много про себя пишут, про какую-то идеологию, повестку, философию. А вот я изучил тонну материалов про это, и у меня создалось ощущение, что это всё такоооооое лютое позерство... возможно, я глючу и не прав, но выглядит всё немного будто сильно иронично.
The Modern Dance I was quite intrigued to hear this, as I know lots of people cite Pere Ubu as an influence and as an important punk art rock type band. Non-Alignment Pact and The Modern Dance I really liked. I was expecting a more thrashy punky thing but I liked the more wiry garagey post punk sounds and structure. Obviously his voice is not that conventional, but they both sound like very good post-punk style pop songs. The bass on Non-Alignment Pact is great in particular and the organ sounding synth on The Modern Dance is very nice as well. Laughing I started to like after 3rd listen, even if it might be one of the weaker songs. The rhythm section and guitar is pretty cool, and I ended up quite enjoying the wailing and sax leading up to an actual song breaking out. Street Waves is similar to the first two tracks, a more conventional post punk style song - I like the riff and angularity of it. Good bass again. Chinese Radiation didn’t really do it for me, I think the rhythm track is good but it Peters out towards the end. Life Stinks I liked - the bass and guitar are nice together. Really reminded me of something but I couldn’t quite place it, maybe the Slits? By the third time round I started to enjoy his ‘singing’ style, I guess it could go either way but I liked it. Over My Head is another great track, the sparseness is great and I liked the sound effects. Sentimental Journey I actually found quite amusing, even if I’m not sure that was the intention. I liked Humor Me as well, sounds a bit like a stylophone? Overall not quite what I was expecting and although it may bit of a mixed bag in terms of number of good songs, but in lots of ways a more interesting experience than I thought it might be and it’s left me feeling pretty intrigued by them. It may not be the easiest listen at first, but I genuinely got into his singing style and there were 3 or 4 of tracks I really liked. And the bass was pretty much uniformly excellent. I like their singularity and I’m definitely curious about listening to this album again and some of their other stuff - I can definitely see how they would have influenced a lot of bands I like, like Joy Division, Wire, Talking Heads, Devo, etc. I did think about giving it a 4 but I think it lands solidly as an upper 3 with potential - it definitely grew on me throughout the day. ⭐⭐⭐️
some wild swings on this album. every time i think i've nailed them down they pull the rug from under me. confusing fun
Interesting
kooky! pretty weird, but i liked how it leaned into that. some of it worked better than other bits for me
Some interesting ideas
Laughing // Chinese Radiation // 3.5/5
"Laughing" and "Chinese Radiation" weren't really my jam, but the other songs were fun and quirky. Almost taken aback by my enjoyment(?) at sometimes. A high 3/5. Cheers to getting musical whiplash when this kind of stuff pops up on shuffle!
weirdly was really into this, but i'm also having a mental health episode and feel fucking insane rn. great soundtrack for going 89 on the highway. 3.5 stars
The first time I tried to listen to this, I immediately shut it off at the high-pitched blelelelelelululu sound. The second time I actually kind of enjoyed it, although it's got a lot of that high squealy clarinetty stuff happening. Cleveland weirdo representation!
What a rad album! Super experimental and honestly kind of punk rock. I had a mostly good time listening to this. There were a few songs that were too much, but I love that they're going for it in 1978.
Can't listen to it not found on Amazon
Wow
From the name of the band I was expecting some avant garde Belgian jazz from the 1950s, and to be fair there are some enjoyably weird bits to this, but it turned out to be more of a proto punk garage rock album and a fun listen. The highlight is probably the title track which shamelessly borrows the bass riff from Neal Hefti’s 1960s Batman theme tune.
1st impression: wie, interesting. 2nd: OK, it will all be the same—how boring. 3rd: 2nd was sooo wrong. Nice. Last: Now it becomes weird. Experimental, sometimes intentionally ugly, but too much of it.
5 / 10 Punk con muchos ruidos extras y voces sin mucho sentido.
Pretty good punk album.
On the more conceptual side of post-punk, Pere Ubu is happy to experiment with different noises and influences. It is, unfortunately, going to be annoying to most people. I am willing to accept it at face value for what it is, but I would never willingly return to The Modern Dance.
grating, unique, not a bad listen overall
Some experimental sounds
The album wasn’t bad but the third song on the album sounded like they stuck a microphone up an elephant’s ass and told it to go crazy. Which now as I type I realize that it’s maybe a bagpipe but it still pissed me off 😂
3.8 - Surprisingly composed compared to its frenetic follow-up “Dub Housing.” I like this. I like the way they layer in strange sounds with a subtle hand. They rarely overplay the electronic elements. I also appreciate the use of woodwinds, a stray saxophone might moan quietly in the back of the mix. There’s just enough negative space to make these compositions pop.
Bit noisy
I think I liked some of this? But it's hard to say
First impressions of Pere Ubu's first outing may make you think they lean more "punk" in the post-punk realm, especially due to David Thomas' vocal inflection, yet as the album goes on it opens up a bit, and you start to get that more dreary sound associated with many a post-punk album; stir in a woeful saxophone and some waxing poetic lyrics like reading off the random items in the room with the band, and you've got yourself a 70s art punk stew. It has its moments of greatness, such as the before mentioned sax and some great out-there moments that channel David Byrne more than anything, however it often misses the mark in the melodies department, in which I often struggle to remember a single tune after its over, and as the album gets more and more formless over time, the issue only grows more with it. You'll always be entertained by the record, and at a brisk thirty-seven minutes some experimentation is more than appreciated, but one has to wonder why to choose this over any other post-punk band for their needs, and it doesn't make an argument, just tries to please you while you're there, then send you on your way. Like a stew, its filling, but never a main course if you can help it.