The Modern Dance

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.

Interesting but it sounded like they were trying too hard to be weird

I wanted to like it more.

Pere Ubu’s previous album Dub Housing was one of my favourite finds of this project - an urgent and noisy post punk project that sounded like Talking Heads’ aggressive older brother. This follow up was less enjoyable, and in places just felt like it was being noisy for the sake of being noisy (especially the tinnitus-inducing introduction) rather than adding anything to the songs. There’s still a great attitude throughout it and some solid grooves, but not as exciting as the earlier record

At times Devo like.

Had not heard of this band before, and I don't think I'd heard any of their music before, either. It's quite wild and rough at times and it seems to me that's exactly what they meant to do. The bass and drums are great. Guitar is solid, too, and interesting. I get that vocally they were trying to be outlandish, or something like that, and I can appreciate what they were going for, but as a listener, it's not my thing. Overall, though, quite good.

3

Jodå, ganska hygglig stundtals.

Nice

The last time I listened to a Pere Ubu album was much earlier in this project, over 700 albums ago. Although there are times where it still sounds like an unsupervised middle school band room, I am wondering if I have developed more tolerance for such cacophony or if I liked this one better. I think it may be tolerance. For God's sake, the thing starts with what sounds like a smoke detector going off. Not a great way to start a groggy morning commute. My spouse later walked into the room with the sounds of glass breaking and some shrill reed squawking and wasn't impressed. So, the fact that I didn't hate this must mean something has happened to me in these two years. Mind you, I still didn't like it. But it was certainly remarkable and quite unforgettable.

I recall that my first encounter with Pere Ubu was not well-received, so I wasn’t expecting much this time. Maybe that low expectation helped, but I found myself kind of interested in what they offered in this album…really enjoying some moments. By the end I was barely hanging on though.

I didn’t hate it. After reading a couple reviews, I thought I would. It was interesting and I can see why people like it. Once is enough for me

I know of Pere Ubu from back in the day, and I have the 1976 single “Final Solution” on a compilation album. But this album will be new to me. I’m pretty interested to listen to this. I “warmed up” by playing the aforementioned Final Solution, which I like (rated 3/5 stars on my iTunes). So on to the album. I like the overall sound here, a little “unpolished”, good driving rhythms. Not a huge fan of the vocal stylings, but reminiscent of Television. And some of the more experimental passages aren’t my favorite. But this isn’t boring, it’s different, and there’s several high points that take me right back to 1978. Really, this is the kind of album I came to this project to hear. That said, this is certainly niche, and not something I expect to purchase. Solid 3/5 for being ambitious, and interesting.

Unique but nothing id come back to. Rating: 2.7

Interesting. But not something I'd listen to everyday.

The first Weird album! I was vaguely aware of this band's existence but never bothered to look into them. Quite listenable for something more 'avant garde', I liked it.

This was an absorbing listen and while it's not my speed, I could understand why this would be so influential.

I don't know why this group has another album on this list. It was weird and just ok. I made it through the whole thing and give it a rounded up 3

I appreciate the craziness and the uniqueness of this whole album. Wild. Just don't think I'll need to relisten though 3.6

Yesterday I found out my son, who is in his 2nd year at university, has been suspended from school because he's failed most of his classes. So now he's coming home to try and sort things out and figure out where to go from here. Then last night my wife was taking down Christmas decorations and for some reason she stepped in the kitchen sink to try and reach something, and the sink separated from the granite countertop and collapsed. So I've been spending today dealing with both of those things. Anyway, on to the music. It's alright I guess. I feel like I'm a little sick of everything these days. 3 stars.

Almost infinitely better than the follow-up, Dub Housing, which is almost unlistenable.

Rode the Street Waves in the Real World on this one. Kind of like Chinese Radiation.

As before, the impact of what this was at the time is lost to me, certain songs drag on too long even for a short album, when it gets going it's pretty good. can appreciate, will never listen again.

Una lliçó sobre com retorçar el rock, trepitjar les estructures habituals del génere, innovar en les composicions, i sonar rellevant i interessant, conservant el sentit musical. Una lliçó mal apresa per la majoria de grups que han tractat de fer quelcom semblant

Punk.

Bof c'est correct pas plus. Je n'ai pas mit mon review le jour même et je me souviens de rien donc pas très marquant mais pas mauvais 3

Delightfully odd! A mashup of TV On The Radio’s singer and Fugazi’s music. A few moments of brilliance.

Tough album to rate on one listen. I really dug some parts and others were skippable. Overall, I’d give it another spin at some point, so I’ll round it up.

3.5 . Post-punk in the middle of the punk rock movement. Theres alot of elements that I recognize as being influential to others, and theres some stuff that doesnt quite work. Bonus points for lineage to Rocket from the Tombs and Dead boys. I will say the recording sounded pretty good considering its a low budget (i assume) avant garde album

Honestly? Dub Housing is better. They sound like they are really having fun there. Here just feels like a warmup.

Really enjoyed a lot of this

I enjoyed this! Felt like something that would’ve sounded contemporary 25 years after it was released, aside from a few of the more discordant for discordance’s sake tracks.

I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. The vocals sound like they could be from recent series of south park. Pretty fun

It's avant-garde punk rock, and pretty good for a first album. Some of the songs work, some don't. The band would improve over the years.

Vähän kokeellista dressman rockia missä on hiukkanen elektronista seassa joissain kappaleissa. Lievästi kaoottista myös

It was kind of great but leaning towards OK

Way more interesting than I thought it would be

Kind of a Dead Kennedys meets the Pixies with a sound machine vibe.

It's like being in a drunken bar brawl with Talking Heads: you're never super sure where the next punch is going to come from. It misses more than it hits, but the hits feel solid enough. Call it a 2.5. Favorite tracks: "Life Stinks", "Street Waves"

A strange arty punk/rock album that I'm not too sure of what to make of it. There were lots of weird sounds and beeps that I'm not sure what Pere Ubu was going for, but modern dance, I wouldn't have picked that from the overall listen. There were some glimpses of goodness, but overall a little lackluster. Best: Modern Dance Worst: Laughing 2.5 Stars

More interesting than awesome. There are some bits that are engaging alternative rock with a challenging edge, but there's also enough experimentation that doesn't work.

Is it weird I’ve never heard of this band? Sounds like the kind of thing I used to listen to a lot.

Can't blame anyone for not making it past the first few seconds. I guess that's how they let you know what you're in for. That opening is probably the worst part though. Not that the rest is really amazing, it's just not that bad.

A classic art-punk record which I listened to back in the late 80's, because a few friends used to be into them. Not revisited this since mind you. Not a lot like it back then or even now. Seems odd listening to it in perfect clarity instead of what was probably a very old worn LP! It's pretty good, best tracks; Street Waves, Real World . It gets a 3.

Not the finest thing punk has to offer

Interessert å høre på men ikke noe behagelig å høre på 3.5

Whenever I see an album tagged as "art rock" or "art punk" I reflexively lower my expectations a bit. As expected, this one shows promise at times, but more often is off-putting, I suspect simply for the sake of being inaccessible. It's a bit like early B52s or Talking Heads, but more abrasive.

Noisy and ridiculous, in the best ways. I used to really dislike Pere Ubu, but they've kind of grown on me over the years. Not everyday listening, but I appreciate this band's fearless creativity. Fave Songs: Street Waves, The Modern Dance, Non-Alignment Pact, Humor Me, Real World, Chinese Radiation

I'd swivel between a 3 & 3.5 depending on my mood. Decent punk/post-punk.

Simultaneously charming and off-putting. Seems more intentionally weird and difficult than their debut "Dub Housing," which I prefer.

Boy I know the name but I did not know the music. Vocals are very unique... I can see people absolutely hating them and I am not sure how I feel. I bet live this would be killer though. Definitely has avant-garde fuck you energy that I can get behind. I may need to revisit later.

Frantic, cynical and fun. I really enjoyed this album. Can't believe I've never heard of this band before.

Congratulations to anyone who got through the first 20 seconds of this album. You either weren't paying attention, or you're now clinically insane. The lead singer sounds a little too much like Pete Townshend. If you weed through the garbage, there are some gems here, moments of which are enough to push it up from a 2 to a 3. But Jesus Christ, do you have to kiss a lot of frogs. So many that it's almost not worth it. Avant Garde doesn't always mean "listenable". Oh well. I'm sure Yoko Ono is found of this.

It’s fine

Kinda weird but not bad

Oh god what the hell was that feedback noise at the beginning of Non-Alignment Pact!? That was especially horrible over my car speakers. Might not have sounded so bad in 1978. This ended up being okay, some neat early post-punk. Will I listen again? Probably not. Generally this wasn't my thing. It was just too unhinged with no real substance or direction to justify it. Seems very creative for 1978 though. Favourite: Modern Dance

Short angular dirty grooved funk rock. Bit like Talking Heads dirty uncle.

Knotty, spiky and interesting at times. Bonus points for originality and willingness to experiment. Points off for lack of melody or anything remotely pleasurable.

3.75

I'm delighted that Dimery's list has weird art-rock records like this. It's important that all sorts of music are represented, in spite of all the reviewers in here grumbling about this one and giving it low grades (I'm talking about music from the "western" world and using the album format, at least). Besides, Pere Ubu is an act so bizarre that it literally can't age. Some reviewers talking about the two Pere Ubu albums selected by Dimery referred to recent groundbreaking bands like Squid or black midi so as to give their opinions and try to explain what those LPs are all about. And I'm also glad about this. There's definitely an affinity between Pere Ubu's own off-kilter sound in 1978 and the one played by quite important rock bands that don't want to fully rehash the past these days. The good news is also that, contrary to *Dub Housing*, *The Modern Dance* more or less manages to keep momentum for the duration of its ten tracks. "Non-Alignment Pact" and the title-track offer great moments right off the bat. David Thomas' frantic voice, somewhere between Jello Biafra and David Byrne, is an acquired taste, of course. But once you find your footing with it, it becomes quite fascinating. After that great start, "Laughing"'s deconstructed, sax-enhanced shenanigans are a bit of a letdown, yet Thomas's voice does a good enough job getting you hooked in spite of the overaffected free-jazz surroundings. And then "Street Waves" quickly surges anyway--with one bridge containing a classic guitar solo that will easily rock your socks off, and another bridge where eerie wind sounds will suddenly keep you on your bare toes as you force them to walk on ice. Funny how those two bridges actually epitomize the two sides of the word *art-rock* all by themselves. Following "Street Waves", you have "Chinese Radiations", another "deconstructed" cut going from a slow ambient mood to a more lively conclusion. Yet this time, said "decontructed cut" is fortunately far more efficient and evocative. Thomas then goes totally bezerk on bonkers "Life Stinks"--the rhythm section is on a full punk mode here--before centerpiece " Real World" ensues--some sort of dub track that goes off the rails to become far more at the end: a mesmerizing-yet-hectic plea and a proto-Talking Heads gem all at the same time. After that, calm "Over My Head" and its haunted background vocals provide a welcome respite--with another lovely guitar solo for its bridge. Concluding the album, you have "Sentimental Journey", a self-indulgent, seemingly improvised number where the most recognizable pattern comes for the sound of breaking glass (the studio's floor was notoriously littered with broken bottles after they recorded that cut). And then, you have the mock-reggae of "Humour Me", with fun clapping hands helping you digest all the guitar and synth harmonies around them--weird ones for sure, yet also poignant, oddly enough. That last guitar solo, short but epic, is a major plus to turn that closer into a highlight. Voilà, to put it in a nutshell. *The Modern Dance* is a mid-western, no-wave version of Roxy Music. As such, it's "out there" and sort of a mixed bag, but it's still a fun listen if you open your mind and try to forget the usual expectations of run-of-the-mill rock and punk-rock. It sure won't send you to the highs that Wire or Gang Of Four can aim at (two bands that Spotify's algorithm played after *The Modern Dance* ended--which was highly predictable, lol). But it's still a success in its own (admittedly bizarre) terms. After all, you can find other admirable players in second leagues sometimes. Number of albums left to review: 442 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 260 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 133 (including this one) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 168

Had some real chaotic energy, was mostly fun to listen through. A 3.5

Interesting sound. Never heard them before. 3/5

Didn’t know this band. Lots of interesting stuff going on. Probably needs another listen or two to land on proper rating.

Niet slecht.

This list is a real treasure trove of experimental rock and early punk. There are a lot of bands I'm learning about for the first time. The sort of bands that your favorite bands probably listened to. Pere Ubu sounds at times like a less polished B-52's. A little more wild and out there and experimental. Something I've learned by going through this list is that punk and post-punk basically happened around the same time. The name 'post-punk' can be misleading because it suggests that it could have only happened after punk became popular. But it seems like almost right away, a lot of experimental bands picked up on the energy of punk and twisted it in new directions. ("Chinese Radiation" is a good example of post-punk on this album.) Maybe post-punk is a good descriptor of bands that were influenced by experimental 60's rock and just happened to be continuing those sounds alongside punk rock. I also read something recently where a music critic argued that bands don't think about genre as much as fans and critics do. They just make the music they want to make and it gets labelled after. That seems right. Pere Ubu is a band that clearly made whatever crazy music they wanted to make. I don't think they thought a ton about music history when recording this album. The first half felt more focused than the second half. A few tracks lost me in the back half, particularly the nonsense noise of “Sentimental Journey.” 2.5

Cool sound. The immediate drastic panning of instruments is very annoying. I've written before about how I think it's very easy for panning to hurt a song's overall production and how frequently this kind of stark/heavy handed panning was happening in records from the 50s up to the 80s. I am enjoying track 2 "Modern Dance". It's got this cool repetitive riff and yelping vocal part that I find attractive. Track 3, "Laughing" is cool too. I like how improvisational it feels. That is a musical concept that I feel like this list has been avoiding. Overall I give it a 3.

I have to be in the mood, but when I am I like them.

Late 70s was an interesting time for music. The cool musicians were leading the charge to trying to get run away from disco as fast as possible. This coupled with economic woes resulted in an environment ripe for creativity and change. This album was one of the results. Sure there is a lot of noise and at times it sounds like a novelty act but it’s still a good example of the creativity that came out of that period.

This album has a much more Ramones-y, rock&roll feel to it than their other 1001 offering, Dub Housing. Yet there are still a few avant-garde pieces thrown in to please the lovers of noise.

Pere Ubu has always one of those bands that I struggle to "get into". They're similar to say The Residents or Captain Beefheart with Kraut Rock sensibilities. With no discernable melodies and purposely ugly vocals, its a challenging listen. But I guess this is intentional as they're reflecting the angst and chaos of their apocalyptic world.

Some of it was interesting some of sounded like a bratty 5 year old with a toy trumpet

HL: "Non-Alignment Pact", "Street Waves", "Humor Me" Listening to this made me go back to Surfer Rosa, for two reasons. One, I underappreciated it the first time, plus this generator has blessed me with a tolerance for noisier rock I may not have had then. And two, there has to be some of Pere Ubu's David Thomas in Black Francis's vocal stylings. This isn't an easy listen, but it's surprisingly catchy at times. I actually liked the spooky synth, but I was less enthused when it was isolated in my right ear. Just put the damn oboe down 3*, I’m feeling generous August 3, 2023

Hämmentävä levy! Laidasta laitaan matskua niin postrockia kun reggaetakin. Jotenkin sellanen popedamainen versio talking headsista tulee mieleen. Täytyy kuunnella uudelleen myöhemmin jos sit vaikka hiffais onks tää birdy vai fisu 3/5

Vinksahtanut ja ihan hauska levy, alku vahvempi kuin loppupuoli joka menee jo vähän kikkailun puolelle. 3/5

Wtf is this weirdness

Eeeh.

Musically I kinda liked what they were doing when they weren’t being dissonant for being dissonant’s sake, but they garbled vocals were a bridge too far, there were times I wasn’t convince English was the language being used. I almost felt like there was some commonality with Pixies, but yeesh, these are no Pixies

Frustrating - in almost every song there was a moment or two that was really great…but then the rest was accompanied by a third grader with his newly acquired recorder and a rubber chicken.

Some novel things, mostly run of the mill

Tough one. This is an album that I’ve known and have tried because the band has influenced many of my favorite bands. They haven’t been for me. After trying again, they still aren’t, but I respect that they pushed boundaries.

Sound so experimental and I really appreciate that but it’s not my taste sadly. But still kinda cool.

Its diferent an unpredictable experimental music. Its raw and punkish. Not sure what to think. Dont love it but do like it

Headache core

Instrumentally quite interesting and you can tell how they would go on to influence bands of the 90s but the vocals really aren't for me and there isn't a singular song that jumps out at me.

You do not want to start this album with your headphones on!! Wow, that's ear splitting and super annoying! I know the name but I also know they're not my thing. The industrial nonsense they have as background on "Non-Alignment Pact" (their most popular song!!?) was so unnecessary. His voice blows. The title track is half party noise, and half good. This is too underground for me. The weirdness and annoying instruments ("Laughing") overshadow what they're attempting. The title track is half party noise, and half good. "Street Waves" is the same mix of random sound, then song. "Chinese Radiation" lulled me to sleep before the same crowd from "Non-Alignment" woke me up. This is horrible music, I only got 7 songs in. No one has played this on Spotify, the listener counts are super low. This isn't popular, no hits, no influence from what I heard, avante garde nonsense at times. Hated it. This has no place in a Top 1001 list! Hard to give it two full stars, more like 1.5.

Cleveland is a weird place, man. It isn't for everyone, just like this album--but if you get it, you get it. 2 kepeers in 10 (20%). 2 klunkers (20%). Math says 1 star. Heart says 3. Split the difference, call it 2.

I appreciated some of what they were going for, it just didn't click with me. I almost feel bad giving it a 2, but there is no 2.5 option, and I wouldn't give it a 3 from me.

unfortunately, this gets a 2/5 from me in a similar way that the jazz albums i've gotten before did.  i appreciate what they're doing, there's an undeniable energy going on, and i can see its influences on bands i like, but it's just not for me

Interesting listen

Humor Me did humor me

I know this artist by name, but don't recognize any of these tracks. I'm mostly going into this blind though. I feel like I just don't get this. And I have a degree in music. There's large swaths of my music library which I would categorize as "an acquired taste." Why _do_ people like this? As for the track "Sentimental Journey": I can't remember the last time I listened to a track where I felt like I needed eye protection.

i think fine, i have already forgotten it honestly

Cool bass grooves but that does not overcome the squeaky horn

so much breaking glass I was worried someone in my apartment complex would think I was crazy!

Pere Ubu, 1975 in Cleveland, Ohio, aus den Trümmern der Protopunk-Band Rocket from the Tombs entstanden, veröffentlichte mit The Modern Dance im Februar 1978 ihr Debütalbum – aufgenommen zwischen Oktober 1976 und November 1977 im Suma Recording Studio in Painesville sowie bei Cleveland Recording, produziert von Ken Hamann und der Band selbst, erschienen auf dem kurzlebigen Mercury-Sublabel Blank Records. Das Ergebnis ist ein Album, das sich jeder bequemen Schublade entzieht: Rockmusik, die sich selbst zerlegt und aus den Bruchstücken etwas Neues zusammensetzt. Bereits der Opener „Non-Alignment Pact" macht die Spannung des Albums hörbar – ein schrilles Feedback-Kreischen mündet in Tom Hermans verzerrtes Chuck-Berry-Riff, während David Thomas' unverwechselbarer, zwischen Klage und Komik pendelnder Gesang das Zentrum bildet. Allen Ravenstines Synthesizer-Texturen fungieren weniger als Melodieinstrument denn als Störgeräusch-Generator, der Krauss/Maimone-Rhythmus dagegen bleibt erstaunlich funktional und trägt die vermeintlich chaotischen Songstrukturen. Stücke wie „Street Waves", „Chinese Radiation" und das beklemmende „Humor Me" zeigen, wie präzise diese Unordnung eigentlich komponiert ist. Was The Modern Dance bis heute auszeichnet, ist die Weigerung, Punk als bloße Beschleunigung von Rock zu verstehen – hier wird er zur Dekonstruktion, zum Rust-Belt-Blues mit Industrienoise als Begleitinstrument. Kommerziell blieb das Album folgenlos, seine Wirkung auf Post-Punk und Noise Rock jedoch ist kaum zu überschätzen. Ein Album, das Cleveland klingen lässt wie eine kollabierende Fabrikhalle – und genau darin seine Größe findet.

Instrumentals are a 4 but unfortunately the vocals are pretty crap. I thought I was gonna like this after I kinda enjoyed Dub Housing but that voice just gets more and more grating and they seem especially proud of that fact in this album. Probably a 4 with a talented vocalist. Alas.

I like when it sounded good a times. The riffs were sick. Low end was insignificant, and the noise and progressive elements didn't phase me much. If this is your bag then keep it. Me nun wan dis.

The piercing noise at the beginning just put this one not a great note. Then it was like he was singing the songs with marbles in his mouth. Not bad, but nothing really great. It had a lot of elements of other musical genres which made it feel everywhere but nowhere.

I've certainly heard worse, but it's a rare post-punk album that will give me much enjoyment. This one did not break through.

I think you had to be there. I could see myself getting into this had I been there. It goes without saying that the vocals take some getting used to. Reminds me of what I don't like about the Talking Heads. At least two stars for recognition of artistic merit but I couldn't wait for this to be over.

I only know Pere Ubu's name and that they were vaguely punk-aligned, so this was much weirder than I expected. "Non-Alignment Pact" got my hopes up, but the rest of the album didn't do a whole lot for me (especially the interminable "Sentimental Journey"). Glad to hear it, but moving on.

I can appreciate the experimentation, but that's about it. 2.4/5.

The album started off with what I presume was the fire alarm, then continued with some chickens being strangled and cats in heat. I wouldn't say it's complete noise, but there's definitely a lot of it.

Slightly more listenable than Dub Housing!

No standouts

I went from hating it to really enjoying it back to hating it. The songs are so good but then they add the horrible ear splitting noises. Very conflicting but the noises won out.

Very odd at times but some cool experimental sounds

Nathan waz here ^^^???? Wtf Nathan Listening notes: Innovative use of the chalkboard-and-nail as a backing instrument here I wonder if I can be arsed to look at the lyrics. I guess it is my only chance to know what the fuck the singer's saying What the fuck is this fucking dehydrated bagpipe-ass song Was that a fucking parrot or something This song sounds alright. I wonder what they'll do to make it absolutely unlistenable Turns out they didn't do anything and it's a decent song. Why do they have to make my job so hard man Lmfao they put applause in the song cause that's the only way they're going to get any This album is making me hate art If I put a lot of effort into making myself like this I might be able to manage Mr incredible becoming uncanny ahh intro Why are they smashing fucking bottles now Pompompompompompompompompom I'm fucking losing it Is there a motherfucking clown approaching now why is someone walking around in fucking squeaky shoes What the fuck what why can I understand what he's saying What if I don't want to humour you Oh my god it's over This album makes me feel like logging onto reddit and ragebaiting people about how art has been worthless since the beginning of the 20th century whilst caressing the slightly sticky genshin impact funko pop standing on my desk next to the huge pile of Richard Dawkins books. The really irritating thing is when the singer shuts the fuck up and there's not an angle grinder being used in the background, the music is actually good. In spite of all this, I can conceptually enjoy the crazy mess that is this album in its entirety as a piece of art, albeit one I don't understand in the slightest. All this means is it's getting 2 stars instead of 1 though.

Avante Garde Post Punk with black flag style jazz - and its fine for a song or two...not an entire album.

It's not terrible, but there also isn't anything redeeming about it: haphazardly written, sloppily performed, badly recorded

This album starts out intentionally and successfully annoying, then gets better, and then just trips over itself at the end.

Mostly just awful.

If I wanted to listen to a drunk guy smash bottles and yell I’d just go outside

The MC Donalds at home of Talking Heads Music

Somewhat grating; choose your moment

it was not my vibe

Not for me. 40 minutes of noise.

the vocals take me out of it way too much

Entendi a intenção do disco, de ser uma bagunça orquestrada, claramente um punk rock mais contido, em meio a época de efervescência do próprio gênero. Mas assim, achei meio tosquinho. Tem bons elementos, qualidades sonoras inseridas, mas em sua junção, achei entediante. Talvez eu volte a ouvir no futuro, deve ser porque estou viciado em Sade, e esse álbum não caiu bem.

There were moments that I thought - that's not bad, and then it went weird. This has elements to be really good, but it is just too all over the place. There are brief moments where it is fantastic, but they get ruined by all sorts of effects. Over my head was the standout song. 2.5 stars

It was a fun and cool record but I probably have to listen a couple more times to have it click.

I tried to be impartial but this album is near unlistenable. I liked maybe one song on this but it is so frustrating to listen to. I don't think I could listen to this again, 1.5 (2) stars.

Certainly an album

Similar feelings after listening to PiL and The Residents... Not mad it's on the list and I'm glad I listened but will definitely never play it again and generally think it stinks. In the songs that are actually songs and not just avant-garde weirdness, I like the rhythm section and guitar. The vocals and everything else ruin it. I added Street Waves to my 1001 playlist because it's the most listenable track. Oh, the album artwork is spectacular!

This album sounded like an ode to alcoholism. I'm not entirely upset that we got another album from this guy, but I am a little upset. The first song starts with an unbearable screeching sound that leaves me asking why. I think that set the tone for an album that was overall a little more unpleasant in its experimenting than the last one we listen to. Again, I appreciate some of the sound design and creativity, and it's cool when there's actual music mixed in, but I strongly dislike his singing. Sometimes the messaging was appealing to me, but others I found it overindulgent in its nihilism.

Huh, this is funny, since we already reviewed another Pere Ubu album. These are the 2 albums by Pere Ubu that I remember hearing about (and that they were good, if not great), when I was in college (ca. 1981-82). I'm glad for the chance to finally hear these 2 albums (which I'd always meant to check out), and to realize that I wasn't really missing all that much (that I would care much for). My review of this one is the same as the other one: 2 stars. (See previous review for add'l comments - or not!)

Too "modern" for me

Occasional cool guitar bits saved this from a 1 star. Pretty shite.

"oh man when i get home i HAVE to listen to "Sentimental Journey" again. It's such a banger" -no one ever

It was kind of old-man coded. I didn't enjoy the album or get much out of it, but I'm glad that they made it. Probably doesn't deserve to be on this list.

This is a rock album for dolphins. The squeaky unintelligible lyrics are for dolphins. Recorded by a dolphin man. The vocals put me all the way off of this album. The sound overall is kinda meh but not altogether horrible. It's fine. 2 stars. I think the modern dance is me scrambling and running away from this album.

3/10 Generally terrible, only saved by the first couple of tracks

At least it is a short album. The vocals and sounds are just not good. I’m being kind and rounding up to 2.

It blurred together

Started off ok-kind of Talking Heads vibe. But that was about it. After couple tracks, vocals were unintelligible.

Awkward listen, it sounds dated and far less interesting than their bio suggested

i was waiting for it to be over the whole time

Ett par balla riff här och där men tyvärr få låtar jag kommer minnas. Har inte tålamod för 5 minuter glaskross.

Kan ändå förstå att någon kan gilla det här, även om jag själv inte gör det.

At 280+ albums into this project, protecting listening time and energy for records that have a genuine chance of connecting is not laziness — it’s honesty. A few tracks of The Modern Dance was enough to confirm that this sits firmly in a sonic universe that has consistently not connected throughout this list. David Thomas’s deliberately unsettling vocals, the intentional dissonance, the controlled chaos — all of it points toward a corner of avant-garde post-punk that has earned respect and genuine admiration from the right listeners for decades. This listener is not among them. The historical importance is real and acknowledged. The point of diminishing returns arrived early. A 2 that reflects an honest triage rather than a full listen — sometimes that’s the most useful review you can write.

that's a no from me 2/5

4/10

rumore alternato a musica, cosa che filosoficamente posso capire, è un fatto però come album da ascoltare è pochissimo fruibile

Too much

4/10 I like the experimental and inventive sounds used, but it's just a bit too weird at times and struggled to keep my attention. Nothing profound here. Best track: Modern Dance Will I revisit?: No

Mostly this pissed me off but there were couple decent tunes

Liked the first couple of songs. Album went south for me pretty quickly after that.

Maybe it’s because I read about it first and had very low expectations, but — against all odds — I kinda like this goofy, oddball album. Some of it is absolute crap, but some of it clicked with me.

Well, don't need to hear that again. Although it sometimes reminded me of Talking Heads.

I appreciate the avant-garde boundary pushing for song structure and melodic composition, but there is a line where the music itself still has to be enjoyable. There are some good songs here, but that feels secondary to the pure experimentation. Which is not a bad thing, just not for me. Top tracks: Non-Alignment Pact, Street Waves

This is mostly unlistenable. Instrumentation was good at times and there were a couple of enjoyable tracks but nothing worth the agony that half the songs brought.

It’s like if punk rock was in a Wes Anderson movie.

Not interested

“ The Modern Dance has been critically acclaimed.” I felt like I was being yelled at the entire time I listened.

Weird. Not the worst thing I've ever heard

This album just kind of sounds bad to me. I don't really get what this album is about and I just couldn't really enjoy it. It wasn't the worst thing I ever heard, but that still doesn't mean I liked it.

Congratulations to anyone who got through the first 20 seconds of this album. You either weren't paying attention, or you're now clinically insane. The lead singer sounds a little too much like Pete Townshend. If you weed through the garbage, there are some gems here, moments of which are enough to push it up from a 1 to a 2. But Jesus Christ, do you have to overlook a lot of garbage. So much that it's almost not worth it. Avant Garde doesn't always mean "listenable".

This was mostly bad.

Raw Punk Rock Highlights: Non-Alignment Pact, Humor Me. 2.7

This thing is just weird AF hahaha. Not something i'd buy or listen to again. But not bad, it has strange sounds all over, panning, then there's this like punk voice shouting... not terrible but not a fan.

This may be projection, but I really recognise my adhd brain in this album - the occasional melodies are quickly disrupted (sometimes effectively, more often painfully) with all sorts of experimentation. A lot to admire but unfortunately too often obscured by chaos

70’s Punk

Singer isn't very good, music is both weird and boring. 2/5

Pere ubu

Listening session: april 30th, while commuting to internship Listened to before: no Thoughts: too much noise for me… I almost fave up when the glass shattering started. There were Some okay moments in between though (for example Street Waves) Favourite track: Street Waves

2 1/2

The opening of the first track was much like my Tinnitus! I realise taste is subjective but I didn't hear anything that would mark this album out for inclusion within this 1001 albums list. Not to my taste but someone will love it. Two stars. 1 "Non-Alignment Pact" (2/5) 2 "The Modern Dance" (2/5) 3 "Laughing" (2/5) 4 "Street Waves" (2/5) 5 "Chinese Radiation" (2/5) 6 "Life Stinks" (2/5) 7 "Real World" (2/5) 8 "Over My Head" (2/5) 9 "Sentimental Journey" (2/5) 10 "Humor Me" (2/5) Total - 20 Average - 2 309/1001 169/309 albums reviewed were new to me.

Just too odd and noisy for my tastes.

I really dug like 65% of this. But the weird songs are… maybe too weird for me.

They were probably on something crazy while recording this. I appreciate the album but for majority of the songs they sound more gimmicky than anything Fav Song: 5.2/10

If it weren't for the screeching noises and various (sometimes annoying) sounds, this would have been much more enjoyable for me. I admire weird music, but some of the sounds were a little too piercing in my ears and made it tough to find room for admiration. There were cool grooves on some of the songs (thinking Real World), though.

Starts out with some good punk vibes, and then just throws it right down the shitter to be experimental. I get it, I don't have a fancy schmancy music degree. That doesn't mean I can't call out blaring caterwhauling when I hear it.

Jagged experimental post-punk built on abrasive guitars, off-kilter rhythms, synth noise, and manic, unhinged vocals jerks forward with chaotic unpredictability. Listening feels like being inside a malfunctioning machine that sputters, lurches, and suddenly sparks to life. The result is bold, unsettling, often deliberately difficult and disorienting

It was good at first, but then they started recording noises. 2 stars

I’m sure there are some merits to this but it just didn’t land for me

I had a reallllll hard time with a lot of this album. Maybe I am just not smart enough to “get it” but some of it was alright not an abject disappointment in my mind

Not for me...interesting sounds, though I wish the first track didn't nearly set off my tinnitus issues.

Much like The Birthday Party, this was a little discordant. Luckily the variety held my interest more throughout, and it eventually turned out to be a decent album. Wouldn't listen again, likely, but they...did a good job?

decent

At times I kind of liked this but many I did not.

I’ll admit, not my cup of tea. But I did enjoy Over My Head, and Life Stinks was fun.

Had to skip some songs.

Funniest album title compared to the music. I really want to give it a 3 for effort, it’s wicked and weird and there’s a song that just has primarily broken glass sounds. Streetwise is an actual good song, great rhythm part. But there’s a lot of nonsense.

The vocals are a bit annoying and the music is nothing special. I didn't hate it, but I have no intention of listening again.

4/10. Fun sound not too memorable for me

578/1001 2026.03.25

Dear god not them again. Thankfully it wasn't as bad as their other album from the list but it still was just not really good 2/5

Wtf

eh, some good songs but mostly weird

avantgarde and not really entertaining

Sigh. Honestly who is deciding these are on a list of albums you should listen to before you die? An extra star bc this album legit had some interesting sounds.

Didn't get to this yesterday. Let's see what this is all about. Hm, a little punky this first track. This came out a year before I was born. Alright it's not for me. LOL

Too weird for a re-listen.

Good effort, but I'm not into this. I felt like they heard a few Talking Heads songs off 77 and began there and riiffed other tunes from there.

I feel like this is what I would hear if I was locked in a padded cell. Not a fan.

Abrasive for the sake of being abrasive. It has its moments, but seems to revel in irritating the listener.

what

Yet another example of bad music that doesn't deserve to be lauded just because it's "avant-garde". This music is bad, disorganized, and oppressive to the senses, and, even though it influenced future more successful musicians, it doesn't deserve the distinction it received by being included in this project. With that said, most of the instrumental arrangements are tolerable at worst and interesting at best, which strongly underscores the way that the shrill and poorly produced vocals ruin every song. The 9th track of the album, Sentimental Journey, was the exceptionally cliche track of the album, featuring random and monotonous noises for over six minutes - the kind of thing that I have come to expect from bands like this.

Weird album. Post punk with a mix of singing and talking. It has just enough screechy/random/annoying sounds to put me off.

I get Sonic Youth crossed with Ramones vibes on a few songs - especially the openers (Non Alignment Pact, Modern Dance) - then things fall off a noise-for-noise's-sake cliff with Laughing. & it feels like much of the rest of the album walks that line - sounding almost accessible and listenable, sometimes all within one song (like Chinese Radiation) - where I'm sure I accidentally added Daydream Nation to the playlist...before the instruments and/or vocals go totally dissonant and honestly borderline unlistenable. Kind of fee like the band is making a point with this approach, but it's lost on me.

Un peu trop expérimental peut être, il y a tout de même des bons moments plus accessibles

points for being different, I guess. ******************************************************************************* --Non-Alignment Pact...fun bass groove --The Modern Dance...see above. a little repetitive --Laughing...I'm not laughing --Street Waves...chaotic. good chaotic --Chinese Radiation...I don't get this --Life Stinks...Tony Maimone's bass elevates it --Real World...feels like bad improv --Over My Head...we slow things down. it's fine --Sentimental Journey...heavy sigh --Humor Me...Maimone back to save us again

Interesting listen a little different from other punk bands of that era.

Courtney: I wanted to like it more but it’s too clanky Craig: didn’t really impress me

:|

Not bad, I don’t think I would have ever listened to this album without this site

Punk rock, Irgendwelcher Rock, Vewrstehe diese Musim nicht

never make an album again xoxo

legit unlistenable. gets 2 stars because the instrumentals are ok

2. is mir bisschen zu crazy aber geht live bestimmt Hard