Reviews (page 3 of 6)
Enjoyable for a relic of the past.
when the original dungarees version of dexys moved on we seem to have these albums based around one piece of music repeated in nearly all the songs. strange
It was alright
Interessanter Genremix
3.5
It was ok, not really what I expected but it grew on me the more I heard.
Considering the low global rating and the bad reviews, I was expecting something dreadful... But I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. While not exactly ground-breaking, it’s honest pop-rock with good production, clean instrumentation and more energy than average. It’s also quite ahead of its time – it can absolutely hold its own against a lot of mid-90s bands. That being said, describing this album as a "neglected masterpiece" is obviously a far-fetched exaggeration by snobbish music critics. It’s good fun all right, but it’s certainly not a genre-defining album, and I’m not sure I’ll remember much of it in a few days. Moreover, including all three albums of this band on the list is obviously preposterous, one would have been enough. This list is so weird sometimes... 5/10
Was I in the mood to listen to this? No. Will I ever be in the mood to listen to this? Probably not. Does it defy all expectations based on my limited (ie American) perspective? Absolutely. Way better than expected by orders of magnitude. The voice is still the fulcrum - depending on how much dig the warble mat predict your appreciation of the album. But the arrangements are excellent. And surprising. And sometimes just weird. I feel like with investment this may pay some dividends. I'm unclear on whether I will ever put in the time needed truly succumb to this albums charms. It definitely has its charms. Perhaps many. I think it may have helped my end of holiday blues. At worst - these guys are having a great time and that can be quite infectious. Respect. 3.51 stars.
I thought this was pretty decent! The pointless chatter does detract from the experience, but it's fairly sparse all things considered. When the band is just jamming and having a good time, that's when the album is at its best, and it did make for a mostly fun listen. Standouts: This Is What She's Like • One Of Those Things
Who is Dexy, and why do they have people running so late at night? I didn't really feel this album. Some parts of it I liked, some I didn't, but a lot of it was just background.
Come on…and get’em another hit. Wasn’t meant to be unfortunately. Not a bad effort though.
Ok
Pretty good, no real standouts but i did enjoy the violin
I found this rather enjoyable. The vocals weren't anything special, but I loved the instrumentation. Definitely drags, though. Also, I'm 99% sure that was just Werewolves of London in there.
Listened to this once, and then later when I had some things to do around the house I thought I should listen to it again. The good news is that you can listen to it twice in one day without it getting annoying. The bad news is that's because it's so forgettable, that you're barely aware you've listened to it twice. Once again, fine and inoffensive. The Sweet Home Alabama sample is a lot of fun though. Songs added to playlist: - The Occasional Flicker - Knowledge Of Beauty - One Of Those Things
After not being really able to stand Rowland on their first album, he didn't bother me as much here. As such, I found myself liking this record a sizable amount more. The arrangements and soundscapes are quite interesting, and I actually think the production is pretty solid by mid-80's standards (or, should I say, my mid-80's standards). Is this weird? Am I weird? 3.5/5
Good. 3.5
The third album by this band is another dramatic shift in instrumentation: From the big soul ensemble to the strings and now... a reduced group of four musicians plus some guests. I'm not sure that worked already on this album, but it's certainly different to the predecessors. I'd rank it 3,5 if I could.
I absolutely love the instrumentals here, but the singing style and the nature of the album, the random quips, really bring it down
The 12 minutes rambling on the melody of Come On Elieen is.. I mean it's a choice
First time listening Multi-layered music with a wide range of instruments. It rollercoasters from really good, soulful music to goofy 80s poppy music. Some really good songs on the album, some skippable ones (on first listen). Singers voice works really well in parts, and gets cartoonish at others. I'll give it another shot in the future, could be a possible 4 if something clicks. Knowledge of Beauty is one of the best songs I've ever heard. Best songs: The Occasional Flicker, Knowledge of Beauty, The Waltz
Most of this album is middling but "This is what she's like" is such a banger that it biases my review. Historically having one great song and the rest of it being a two nets the album a 3
MEDIOCRE!
A strange, talkative, and oddly charming detour for Dexys Midnight Runners. It trades pop hooks for long, conversational songs that feel more like overheard thoughts than radio singles. Sometimes that makes it fascinating - other times, just frustrating. Still, there’s something honest and quietly bold in how unpolished it is. A flawed but intriguing gem.
If you happen to live stateside like me, you would probably know Dexys Midnight Runners for their one US hit "Come on Eileen", and maybe "Geno" too if you are cool enough. If so, you would be surprised at first to find that their first three studio albums are in the 1001 Albums book series. That was certainly how I felt, until I remembered that the band was big back in the UK. Lest we forget, Robert Dimery is English, and he and his team have a proven track record of propping up acts from their home country that haven't been as popular across the Atlantic. I was willing to meet them halfway and see if I could understand the larger appeal Dexys Midnight Runners had overseas. Unfortunately, the first of these albums I got was the most esoteric of them. The album Don't Stand Me Down was marred by the band personnel dropping from ten members to just four, troubled recording sessions, and frontman Kevin Rowland refusing to publicly promote the album. Sometimes, an album can come out amazing under such difficult circumstances, but I'm not sure this one came out completely unscathed. While it sonically continues in the band's trademark new wave meets blue-eyed soul crossover style, complete with Helen O'Hara's excellent violin playing, Kevin opted for more rambling conversational dialogue as opposed to outright singing. Whether it's over the gorgeous string arrangement of "Knowledge of Beauty" or over the same cadence as Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London" on "One of Those Things", Kevin certainly rattled on about whatever troubled his mind. I didn't hate this lyrical approach, but I also didn't feel as thoroughly engaged with it. Which is a shame, as I am admittedly fond of his usual idiosyncratic delivery, and he does showcase his vocal depth in spurts alongside the heartfelt arrangements, really only kicking into full gear with the penultimate track "Listen to This". I think there was a potentially great album underneath all the deliberate obfuscation going on here. But as it is, Don't Stand Me Down is a rather unfortunate example of a group grinding their gears for too long. The band would break up shortly after that release, only to reform in the 2000s and then put out their follow-up in 2012 under just Dexys. From the sound of things, Kevin and company sound a bit more amicable towards each other and their legacy, which I can take solace in.
Won't seek it out again, but wasn't terribly upset by it.
(3.5) the songs were quite long - someone who listens to mahler casually
I could spot their sound from the first track. Not bad.
It's OK. There are a few songs that sound kind of like a peppier The Cure, but the guys voice gets a little grating after awhile. Knowledge of Beauty is awful, and I think that's dragging down my overall opinion of the album. Also, I'm a little salty that I'm listening to Dexy's Midnight Runners and There's no Come On Eileen. It's an outrage. Overall, I din't hate it, but I'm glad it's over.
It was fine but not special.
Good enough. 2.5
This is ok but not really standing out got me, and the one song really sounds like ‘Werewolves of London’.
Better than I expected but didn't jump out at me. Will revisit but not ready to commit a fourth star.
ok
2.5 stars. Tries to break out of the standard 80's pop sound but is a bit tough to listen to at times. Rowland's singing voice can be annoying. Enjoyed some of the snarky lyrics in "One Of Those Things". Standout is "Listen To This". Would like to re-visit at some point when in the right mood to get into it.
It is really strange that a band that is essentially a one hit wonder has 3 albums on this list. This album really could be left off. It isn't bad, but nothing really stood out. A lot of the songs feel too long as well. Mid 3.
Ok
There was too much to unpack on this one from one listen. Putting a 12 minute track as your second song with various passages of music and even conversation, it’s a difficult one to piece together and needs more time. The album recovers well though with the best track and the well known _One of these Things_. So this didn’t exactly land on first listen but there’s enough here to revisit.
holy shit like i don’t mine dexys midnight runners (i actually think they’re quite alright) but why is every SINGLE fucking album they ever made on this list. if u hear one you’ve heard all of them. enough. Does dexys midnight runners and Elvis costello have some form of dirt on the fucking author of this stupid list or what is going on? the album was actually alright but since im so fucking tired of seeing them all the time, i feel like giving them less
Didn"t mind it. Pleasant enough music, a little hard to hear what he is saying. Weird Werewolves of London rip off song
I'd score it higher if there wasn't talking on the album!
Meh it was alirght 3 stars. I like their voice. I could have sworn that was Freddy Mercury on the second track.
that was a long early song. These 80s pop albums always seemed semi experimental, but a lot of times just ended up kind of dull.
The music was fun to listen to, and I enjoyed a bit of the dialogue back and forth with the band. However, the chatter overstayed its welcome, and I just wanted to get back to the music.
I think this was good, but I wasn't really blown away by it, which I am slightly sad about. I want to give it another shot but first impressions are what I am scoring these albums on
Fun album
nice follow up to "C'mon Eileen". More polished and tight
2.5/5
Penile implants, perhaps?
Blah
It's OK. There are some pretty parts but most of it sounds kind of pointless.
This is definitely a product of the 80s. They lean into a lot of the same sounds throughout the album, which echo "Come on Eileen." Which leaves me wanting to abandon this album for that track, which is overall more polished and has more life to it. I do love the bassy, desperate sound of "Listen to This".
A little boring.
neglected masterpiece
Knowledge of Beauty is a pretty alt-country ballad. I can do without the unintelligible mumbling. The irony of One of Those Things sounds A LOT like Werewolves of London.
Drôle de style. C'est vrai qu'on dirait que c'est David Byrne qui est au micro... Là s'arrête la comparaison avec Talking Heads par contre.
Ok album, Félix est un peu rough avec son 1 etoile. Mais en effet des longues tounes qui mènent nulle part, un beat qui copie sweet home alabama, un chanteur pas tant inspiré. Dommage j’aimais vraiment le cover!
Interesting but a bit boring
I was really excited to hear this after reading that this is a lost classic but I dont see it. Decent bur nothing extraordinary.
idr
Wow... another Dexys album... That is fucking crazy. Let me just recap what I said the last time I got an album from them that no one had ever listened to: "I know judging a band by their spotify listens is hardly the best way to go but how can you call a band anything but a one hit wonder when the 3 most listened to songs on the platform are all different recordings of the same fucking song?? And that song isn't on this album." This album was still listenable. Nothing amazing but fine.
Favorite Track: One of Those Things
Music & unintelligible mumbling
Good record and it reminds me a lot of the Pet Shop Boys, Duran Duran, and The Cure! It’s really good!
80s New Wave. Broke up because album did so badly. Bowie coded. An ok album.
Too much talking but this picked up in the second half. Last couple of tracks were good if extremely British. High 3.
A little better than I expected (and certainly better than their best known song -- C'mon Eileen -- that I absolutely hate), but still nothing special. Some touches of "blue-eyed" soul that weren't bad, but it wouldn't be on my list.
I’m floored that this band got more than one album with so many essentials missing. I will say that it was much more soulful than I expected and pretty fun to listen to. “One of those things” is just werewolves of London right?
I love Come on Eileen so I’m excited for this album. It’s got a good groove in the first song. My favorite song is either The Waltz or The Occasional Flicker.
Music was kind of cool- not into the talking parts
Oduševljena sam vokalnim sposobnostima za koje nisam znala. Neki dijelovi su zaista dobri, ali generalno je dosta zbrkano. Mogu oni i bolje.
Not a fan
Dexys Midnight Runners: Don't Stand Me Down: A very solid and chill album. It doesn't stand out too much, but I had a nice time listening to it. 7.5/10
sin mas
I haven’t spent much time with Dexys Midnight Runners before, so I was excited to give them a proper listen—and Don't Stand Me Down felt like the perfect place to start. I really enjoyed this album. It’s a smooth and engaging listen—I played it three or four times within 24 hours. The standout track for me was This Is What She's Like. It perfectly captures that unmistakable Dexys energy: heartfelt, conversational, and a bit theatrical. Very Dexys indeed. Honestly, every track on the album feels like it belongs; nothing seemed out of place or like filler. The whole album holds together really well as a complete piece of work. As for the artwork, I really like the album cover. It has a clean, understated style that reflects the mature tone of the music. Favourite track: This Is What She's Like Least favourite: None – every song earned its place.
Wel aardig om eens wat meer van deze band te beluisteren, in plaats van dat ene nummer dat je altijd hoort. Het geluid en de stem is herkenbaar, ze zitten onderling nog wat te geinen, maar gaandeweg zakt de aandacht weg, en groeit de irritatie over de jengelstem van de zanger. Dus wat mij betreft houden we het toch maar bij de hit.
This was definitely a case where the singer's voice really took away from the quality of the project for me - I could not get over it!
I don’t see why it gets all the hate that it does. It’s not a great album but it was an ok enough listen to.
Listened to half of it before goong to bed. Not bad. Like the vocals.
A lot more boring than I expected from Dexys Midnight Runners. Lots of slow, quiet parts that I couldn’t really hear in my car. Too many long songs. Wasn’t a fan.
Finding out that Come on Eileen was basically a sellout for these guys doesn't make me love it any less. And I like this album as well. 3.5
Edgy in a derivative way somehow
I like the Dexys but this album didn’t need to be on this list
3.6 Roentgen, not great, not terrible. Wild its reception caused the breakup of the band.
Alright album. I didn't realize this was the same group that did "Come on Eileen" which wasn't featured here, but I hear it now. I think the album tried pretty hard to be bold, so I give it credit for being just that. The 12 minute "This is what she's like" really exemplifies that, and apparently got a 3 minute radio edit months after a poor record sale. But how did it sound? Generally pleasing, just a little too in the background at times. I thought about how the instrumentation is presented most of the time, and there is clearly a huge vocal focus (as with most songs), but it felt even more pronounced. The drums weren't overdone but tried to keep it interesting, and there's a large blend of non-rock instruments to be fresh from most radio hits.
It's okay - certainly not bad, but nothing here set me alight either.
Not a huge fan of this vocal style, but they're a lot better than your typical one-hit-wonder. Pretty interesting album.
meh
5/10
Didn’t like this at all on the first listen but on the second listen I enjoyed it. It was definitely a bit odd with all the talking, but it grew on me. Not sure I would listen again, but I’m glad I gave it a second listen. Fav song: The Waltz Least fav: One Of Those Things - it just made me wish I was listening to Werewolves of London
So much better than I thought it’d be
I enjoyed the pace changes, the talking was too low and too frequent.
3.5 pretty good. Couldn’t tell you a word he sang about tho
This was surprisingly funny!
A good listen overall but more subdued than previous albums. The influences of soul, celtic, and other sounds all show through. The voice carries a Bryan Ferry emotive style that to me doesn't always work.
Interesting
Auf diesem Album klingen sie schon fast mehr so, wie 35 Jahre später als wie drei Jahre früher. Wie immer mit viel Elan und sehr passioniert, aber manchmal zu viel Emphase, und diesmal ohne offensichtliche Hits. Trotzdem eine schöne Fortsetzung der Soul Rebellion.
Largely inoffensive. Which, for me, means that it sits between the tremendous "Geno" and the appalling "Come On Eileen". I'll round up to three stars because I quite liked the vibe.
Better than I expected, given the reviews.
I'm not sure what this was exactly. But it's certainly not an absolute must-hear and I can easily understand why it bombed at the time of release. That said, I can also see why people might really enjoy it. There are definitely some interesting aspects to this one. On the whole it falls flat though. Pretty pompous as well.
Never really liked the band. Average album.
Pop, I guess? Horns, piano, strings, and the normal drums/guitar with vocals.
This was fun! Just a little short.
Wanted to like it. A lot of pretentious dgaf decisions like allowing some guy to talk over almost every track… bit of a head scratcher.
I really enjoyed the music part but there was a lot of talking that took something away from it.
Roxy musicesque but less interesting
This seems like the type of album I would like more if I spent more time with it. 3.5* rounding down because aside from The Waltz there wasn’t much to hook me into that second listen.
Some good moments, but too much talking/whispering. I don’t know what to think of using “Werewolves of London” instrumental for “One of Those Things.”
Glad i listened to this properly . 3.5, might be more.
Even more white people orchestra music like that of evin costello if you get what I mean. Not bad per se, but very boring
There are some interesting musical moments in here but the vocals are godawful, and the songs are too long and slow to ramp up. There is also an inexplicable song that rags on popular music while ripping off (intentionally I assume) Werewolves of London — pretty rich to be throwing stones at Warren Zecon. Three stars mostly just for the strength of the last four minutes of That’s What She’s Like. Also, is the author doing a bit by including a Dexy’s Midnight Runners album that doesn’t include Come on Eileen.
not my catch can say... barely made it through the first two songs.
Honestly the only song I think I've ever heard by this band is Come On Eileen which obviously is amazing. So this is going to be interesting. Musically, it's okay but I'm having a hard time with the vocals. Why does One Of Those Things sound like Sweet Home Alabama. I think the instrumentals were good on this album but I didn't like the vocals much and I didn't care for some of the like spoken word parts. I didn't love this record but I didn't hate it. Easy 3.
Not bad, new wavers doing a Springsteeny thing in places. Not blown away but it passed the time nicely. Nicely the time did it pass for it was with-eth thine tuneage.
2.5
Heard before and heard for the second time a whole while ago. I don't really remember much about this one. Some songs are quite long. Funny, how the cover looks the exact opposite from Too Rye Aye. + One Of These Things + Reminisce - Pt. 2 + Listen To This
neutral-tasting album with a couple interesting songs this is the third album by the deoxyribonucleic runners i have heard on this site. if your love for them is this pure and true, why don't you make it official and become Robert Dimery-Rowlands? i will clap at the ceremony, though it may be harder for me to follow along because i do not speak british.
Took a few listens to grow on me, notably because I was listening in my car the first few, and only passively. Really going to try focusing on listening on at least my speaker, but preferably headphones, from here (I have done so for nearly all so far, but first listen should be ideally - perhaps i'll revisit In Utero for this reason, give it another chance to not be terrible). On my first listen on the speaker I actually liked most of it, and added some to my likes too. So i'm unsure if it was just time or a better listening experience, but it grew on me. At first, I was finding this album quite... annoying. The lead male vocals, specifically, just... annoyed me. This was the same with My Bloody Valentine's Isn't Anything, too, but worse. I think it may just be me - I've always had a strong preference for female vocals. I also didn't like the quiet parts, the (painfully extended) dialogue and opening to the second track This Is What She's Like, specifically. Couldn't hear anything, is that intentional? I also found it hard to understand the lyrics, took me forever to realise it's "in time, in time" in that same song (at least I hope it is!), but I think that was exacerbated by car listening but was present in nearly every song. Not ideal. Really didn't think i'd give this more than a 2 at first, saved only by the very active and alive instrumentals, but i've changed my mind. I actually quite like it! I'd give it 3.5 if I could, can't quite justify a 4 at this point, but it's close.
A lot more folky and americana than I ever would have expected from a 1985 release by a British pop-rock band. Didn't blow me away, but it was a nice listen. 3/5.
This album sounds familiar. It may just be british
On est en 1982, la planète entière se trémousse en salopette au son de "Come On Eileen". Un tube planétaire, un hold-up parfait qui transforme un groupe de soul-punks de Birmingham en superstars mondiales. Dexys Midnight Runners, mené par le charismatique et légèrement allumé Kevin Rowland, a le monde à ses pieds. L'album "Too-Rye-Ay" est une machine à hits, un mélange irrésistible de violons celtiques, de cuivres soul et d'énergie post-punk. La suite logique ? Simple, on prend la même formule, on la polit un peu, on sort deux ou trois singles qui sentent bon la bière et la fête de village, et on s'achète une villa aux Bahamas. Logique, n'est-ce pas ? Sauf que "logique" n'a jamais fait partie du vocabulaire de Kevin Rowland. Et c'est là que notre histoire commence, c'est là que l'on passe de la success-story à l'un des plus grands sabordages commerciaux de l'histoire du rock. Accrochez-vous, on plonge dans le maelstrom qu'est "Don't Stand Me Down", le disque qui a torpillé une carrière pour mieux entrer dans la légende. Après la tournée triomphale de "Too-Rye-Ay", Rowland, loin de savourer son succès, est en proie au doute. Il déteste l'image de joyeux luron en salopette qu'on lui a collée. Il sent que le succès l'a éloigné de son intégrité artistique. Pour lui, "Come On Eileen" est devenu une caricature, un monstre qui a dévoré son créateur. Il veut autre chose, il veut du vrai, du profond, du complexe. Il veut un album qui soit une conversation, une oeuvre totale, sans compromis. Et des compromis, il n'y en aura aucun, zéro, nada. L'enregistrement de "Don't Stand Me Down" devient une épopée. On parle de trois ans de travail, de sessions interminables, d'un budget qui explose, faisant de cet album l'un des plus chers de l'époque. Le banquier de Mercury Records a dû s'étouffer avec son canapé en voyant les notes de frais. Rowland est obsédé par le moindre détail. Il veut un son organique, live, mais avec une précision chirurgicale. Il veut des dialogues, des changements de ton, des structures alambiquées. Il ne veut plus de chansons, il veut des mouvements. Et surtout, dans un geste d'une pureté artistique suicidaire, il prend deux décisions qui scelleront le destin de l'album avant même sa sortie. Premièrement : pas de single. Je répète, pour ceux du fond qui n'ont pas entendu : PAS DE SINGLE. En 1985, en pleine ère MTV, où le 45 tours est roi et où un album sans tube est un album mort-né, Rowland refuse de disséquer son oeuvre. Pour lui, c'est un tout indissociable, un doigt d'honneur cosmique à l'industrie du disque. Deuxièmement : pas de promo. Donc pas de photos de presse, pas d'interviews pour expliquer le concept, pas de passages télé. Rien. Le groupe adopte un look de cadres de Wall Street, cheveux gominés et costumes trois-pièces, à l'opposé total de leur image précédente. Le public n'y comprend rien, le silence radio est total. La maison de disques, dépitée, finit par sortir l'album en catastrophe, sans la moindre publicité, comme pour se débarrasser d'un colis encombrant. Le résultat ? Un bide monumental voir stratosphérique. Le genre de flop qui devient un cas d'école. Le public, qui attendait un nouveau "Come On Eileen", se retrouve face à un disque bavard, introspectif, exigeant. Les critiques, déconcertés par l'absence de singles et par l'hermétisme de l'ensemble, le descendent en flammes ou, pire, l'ignorent poliment. L'album est un fantôme et les concerts qui suivent se jouent devant des salles à moitié vides. Fin 1986, le groupe, épuisé et ruiné, jette l'éponge. Alors, trente ans plus tard, que reste-t-il de ce désastre annoncé ? Eh bien, il reste un disque absolument fascinant. Un classique culte, un "chef-d'oeuvre négligé" comme disent les connaisseurs. C'est un album qui demande un effort, qui s'apprivoise. Il faut accepter de se laisser porter par ces longues plages musicales, ces conversations impromptues qui ouvrent les morceaux ("The Occasional Flicker"), cette tension permanente entre la grandiloquence et l'intime. Oubliez les refrains faciles, ici, on est dans le flux de conscience. Rowland y expose ses doutes, sa vision du monde, sa quête d'authenticité. C'est un album sur la communication, ou plutôt sur son absence. La musique est riche, un mélange de soul celtique, de folk progressif, avec des arrangements d'une complexité folle. La section de cuivres est toujours là, mais elle sert un propos plus grave, moins festif. Les guitares de Billy Adams et les claviers de Vincent Crane (ex-Atomic Rooster, excusez du peu) tissent des paysages sonores denses et changeants. Ce disque est le testament d'un artiste qui a préféré se tuer commercialement plutôt que de se trahir. C'est l'anti-Too-Rye-Ay. C'est un acte de foi, un pari insensé qui a coûté sa carrière au groupe mais qui a sauvé son âme. Il y a une beauté tragique dans cet échec, une noblesse dans ce refus de plaire. Aujourd'hui, avec le recul, on ne peut qu'admirer l'audace et l'intégrité de la démarche. Est-ce que je l'écoute en boucle ? Non. Est-ce un album facile d'accès ? Certainement pas. C'est une oeuvre aride, parfois frustrante, qui peut sembler prétentieuse. Mais c'est un disque important, un de ceux qui vous rappellent que la musique peut aussi être un champ de bataille, un lieu de résistance contre le formatage et la facilité. C'est un disque qu'il faut entendre, ne serait-ce que pour comprendre ce que signifie le mot "intégrité" pour un artiste. Même si cette intégrité a un goût amer. Verdict : Pour l'ambition démesurée, pour le courage insensé, pour le suicide artistique le plus pur de la décennie. Ce n'est pas un album que l'on "aime" simplement, c'est un album que l'on respecte profondément. Un monument à la gloire des perdants magnifiques. Au final, ce sera un 3 sur 5. Un album à découvrir, à méditer, et à saluer bien bas.
Not sure about this one....may need another listen
Wow, two albums by DMR and neither of them with the hit they are most noted for, "Come on Eileen". Whoever put this list together must have really liked DMR. Just so many other albums that should truly be on this list. It's not that this album doesn't have some good songs. They are good, not great...
This was ok
This actually grew on me the more it went on. I didn’t like all the talking at first, but actually it worked at times. Some of the tracks are pretty pleasant, and I like the musicality of it generally. There’s a bunch of bits in here which sound like they’re ‘creatively borrowing’ from other artists. ‘Knowledge of Beauty’ has that ‘bom bom bom’ bit from Lou Reed’s Satellite of Love, and One of Those Things’ main groove sounds suspiciously like Sweet Home Alabama. Still, straight down the middle, it’s not too bad.
didn’t take many notes on this one because it was unremarkable. not necessarily an enjoyable listen, but not unpleasant either. it helps that this album was britpop (i love british music). otherwise mid. 3/5.
Jeg synes det er ret sjovt at der 100% er 3 Dexy's Midnight Runners albums på listen. Meget britisk af dem. Synes den her var fed nok, mere interessant end den forrige men jeg kunne ikke personligt lige så godt lide lyden
Meget af det var rigtig fedt! Fik ikke så meget ud af de mere konceptuelle aspekter
This album is close to being really good. The songs are catchy but not quite enough to stick in your head after they’re over. A lot of them have an epic sweep but not quite enough to justify being 6, 7 or 8+ minutes long. But this is the third Dexys Midnight Runners album on the list and I’ve enjoyed being in the company of their music every time. This album has a loose and live feel. There are even spoken word interludes that sound like stage banter.
I'm happy today to dive more into this band beyond "Come On Eileen", as a lot of these songs are crisp rock tunes with great performances and production. It's a bummer that the play counts are so low (per Spotify) because it's really an enjoyable album to sit and listen to. The 12 minute "This Is What She's Like" is a trip- with large spoken sections (I need to go back and read what they are saying), a big 4 minute Bruce Springsteen-esque steady rockin' outtro, and a nice English pop/folk rock tune right in the middle. I love the vocalist's crooning throughout. Solid album.
After multiple listens, I have no idea where I stand on Don't Stand Me Down. I usually write my reviews earlier in the evening, but I am just about to go to bed and almost forgot to do it. Does that mean anything? No clue. I respect Kevin Rowland as a weirdo and the weirdo choices here are fascinating. The mumbled asides take the spoken interludes of soul and doo-wop to a comic extreme. Then the mumbled interstitials take that even further, past funny into the concerning - as funny as a rap skit and no funnier. And Rowland's assumed voices triangulating between Robert Smith, Elvis Costello, and Mark E. Smith. The sparse, crippled four-piece. The dead drum sound. The only element that doesn't fascinate is the songs themselves and it is hard to tell, behind all the other decisions, whether they are underthought or overthought. When Rowland sings on One Of Those Things that the songs on Kid Jensen all sound the same is he displaying a playful self-awareness or the true eccentric's obliviousness to how they are perceived? I've no idea really. A lot of the reviews here question how this baffling mess made it onto the list of 1001 albums you should listen to before you die, but I hope my record-listening career is full of such follies, curate's eggs, and artistic indiscretions. If I must spend three years working through them all, I want to be more challenged than listened to albums that demand four stars on the first listen. I already thought scoring records was largely hopeless - scoring Don't Stand Me Down won't help you or I understand it any better. 2.5 This album has a strange charm but I don’t think it is much good. I can credit it for sincerity - I don’t know what Kevin Rowland wants to say exactly (neither does he) but I can tell he means it. I can also credit the artistic feat of overthinking and overproducing a record but still ending up with something that, good or bad, is at once excessive and somehow light. It seems to me that about 90% of it is outro (the other 10 is spoken word and Werewolves of London). I love a good outro but I like to have the rest of the song first. 2.5/5
It grew on me, hard to start
I've been a fan of Dexys since the first album. I love the way their style changes with every album with Rowlands distinctive voice linking them together. This is definitely not their best album. Only a 3 from me.
Solide englisches Rockalbum einer Band, die auch mehr drauf hat als „Eileen“. Gut zu hören aber kein überdurchschnittliches Potpourri.
There might be a masterpiece hidden in there, but I haven’t found it yet despite repeated listens. Some songs definitely show glimmers of greatest, like Knowledge of Beauty, but also some where I’m still scratching my head, like This Is What She’s Like. There are also what seem to be many borrowed sounds, either intentional or unintentional, which make the album feel familiar but also unoriginal? I’ll come back to it again in some time to see if my mind changes.
duurt gelukkig niet te lang.. paar redelijke nummers, maar sommige zijn echt langdradig, zeker met zo'n stem
Not sure. I like the music. Not sure about the vocals.
pretty good, has its good moments and slow spots but a good listen
The Runners really swung for the fences on this one and I think it paid off.
Interesante. No pensé que seguían activos hasta los 90. Eso sí, podría prescindir de las partes habladas
This is two albums by these guys and neither of them had the Big Song on them which makes me think they must have three on here? Strange, surprising, but also I liked the last this one and I liked this one too. Especially the Zevon rip off, that was a hoot.
The volume levels are all over the place, but the work is quality and feels weirdly punk inspired. Could have been a lot better with probably less refinement.
FT
i enjoyed in the background but not sure I'd fully seek it out?
Not bad, not good.
Rating: 6/10 Not bad at all...
That was fun. looking forward to it coming up in the shuffle as the years go by.
An enjoyable enough album but doesn’t have the high points of a ‘Gino’ or ‘Come on Eileen’, so it’s easy to see how Mr Rowlands star faded.
I did not use a private session for Spotify. Dexys Midnight Runners, the perennial answer to "Name a one hit wonder" question. I think this album represents the 2nd through 8th Dexy's songs I have listened to that aren't their big hit. Fun to listen to in that regard. I listened to it twice, so I liked it, but don't know if there will be a third listen.
7/10 Despite the score I really quite enjoyed this. Endearingly weird with some excellent tunes. The extended chats were a bold choice, worked once but maybe not multiple times? Really poppy music shrouded in a cloak of unpoppyness Best: This is What She’s Like
its alright i like it listened to this quietly in the background while editing a school project. it kept me from giving up on the assignment so i guess thats a testament to its quality.
A little kooky, a little meandering
The Occasional Flicker 2.8 This Is What She's Like 3 Knowledge of Beauty 3.1 One of Those Things 3 Reminisce Part Two 2.9 Listen to This 3 The Waltz 2.8 Score: 2.942857143
I have never listened to anything by DMR except Come on Eileen. I probably never would have. But this was pretty good. There were a couple throwaway songs (including the one that sampled Werewolves of London) but most of it was really solid. I love Rowlands voice. Reminds me of Orville Peck. I will be returning to this.
Prima album, wel irritant dat het steeds heel zacht begint. 3.6
Alright
3/5
This lands as one of those records I am glad are on this list as they show there is more to a band than a wedding song.
Some fun songs, The Waltz was very nice. Felt like there might have been a little too much spoken word parts for my taste.
Not my style but I didn't hate it.
This is rather pleasurable. I can’t give it more then a 3 cause I don’t think it super interesting but there’s also nothing I didn’t like.
i feel like i love the concept of this album and these songs but i just don’t love their sound. and it’s hard to have such a big hit as Come On Eileen with such a distinctive voice and then have other songs. just sounds weird sometimes
What happened to the werewolves?
Jaunty! Quite enjoyable but not massively my thing.
Pretty good stuff. Started to all sound the same to me to be honest but I liked it.
A mixed bag - really enjoyed parts of the songs but found the "chat" sections annoying and all a bit loose. Wanted to like it more.
Decent album for what it is. I can’t see returning to it but it was enjoyable. Who copied who werewolves of London by Warren Zevon or this? Could hear traces of their most famous song throughout. What’s with all the talking parts?
A much slower burn than their other stuff. Not as many of the fun grooves that I like. Less of the super goofy vocal parts but they do still pop up a few times. Overall they still retained many enjoyable aspects of their style, just in a slower package
Like a good evening in a pub ! 3*
It’s simple and a little awkward, but in a good way. Like if Talking Heads slowed things down and let themselves get sentimental. The sound feels honest; it’s not flashy, just raw.
Not really my thing, but enjoyable enough. Singer loves his vowels, especially O. Would give it a 3.5 if I could but it's closer to a 3 than a 4.
80's pop is far from what I'm used too. But still enjoyable. A few rhythms feel like they were stolen for future songs
Ikke dårlig, ikke godt. Der var lidt meget violin til min smag. Måske bare lidt gøglet på en chamerende måde.
Kender dem kun fra Come On Eileen. Første sang var langt derfra, på den gode måde. Vi kommer lidt tættere på på det næste nummer der nærmest lyder som hvis Talking Heads lavede Come On Eileen. One of Those Things lyder bekendt 🤔 (edit: de har planket Werewolves of London!) Coveret ligner 4 kontorarbejdere fra 80erne. Det ved jeg sgu ikke hent hvad jeg skal syntes om. Ej det er faktisk lidt fedt. Det stive visuelle udtryk er en kontrast til noget af den til tider løssluppenhed og quirkyness der er i musikken. Det bliver til et stort 3 tal
Interesting new wave sound. It was quirk but not quite enough for me
Klasični preambiciozni album koji dolazi nakon velikog hita. Britanska kritika obožava ovaj album zato je i na listi. Ja bih rekao da je više interesantan nego li dobar
Had reasonable hopes for this but it didn’t do much for me. Liked the Warren Zevon track. A couple of other bouncy songs. Didn’t like the kinda spoken word segments.
OK - but not sure about this record's place in the 1001
2.5/5
Well produce but kind of boring.
Albumi #108, 13.11.2024 Täysin uusi tuttavuus on Dexys Midnight Runners. Musiikkityyliä voisi luonnehtia new wave popin ja blue-eyed soulin jonkinlaiseksi sekoitukseksi. Don't Stand Me Down oli lukuisia miehistönvaihdoksia läpikäyneen bändin kolmas albumi vuodelta 1986 ja se jäi bändin viimeiseksi ennen pitkää 2003 päättynyttä hiljaiseloa. Useissa kappaleissa on sävellyksellisiä ja sovituksellisia vaikutteita myös irlantilaisesta folk-musiikista.
B- The Occasional Flicker 3 This Is What She's Like 4 Knowledge Of Beauty 3 One Of Those Things 3 Reminisce Part Two 3 Listen To This 4 The Waltz 3 I love Dexys, and I actually own this on vinyl too. However, I just don't care enough about it, so it's going in the sell pile.
There's a name I haven't heard for awhile... The last Dexy was album 334, the one with Come on Eileen on it; this is #952. The book uses a much more fitting, colourful album cover than this drab, grey suits. Right from the get go, the bluesy brass of “Flicker”* and the extended coda of “This Is What She’s Like” are energetic and joyful. I’m not as fond of the frequent spoken word pieces substituting for melody, however, even if the one starting ”What She’s Like” is amusingly banal. Though this album doesn’t have a single, “Listen to This” seems like an attempt at a pop hit. Daryl Easlea compares this to “Pet Sounds”, which is definitely one of the more insane takes I’ve heard. At the end of the day, I do appreciate this album’s audacity to be as uncool and un-trendy as it was at the height of synth pop & new wave. 3.5 HL: “The Occasional Flicker”, “This is What She’s Like”, “Knowledge of Beauty” *a good trombone part will always elevate an album’s value to me
Meh... C'mon Eileen appears to be their apex.
Manches klingt wie "come on eileen" Insgesamt kann man es anhören
I was prepared to dislike it but ended up liking several songs.
No Come On Eileen
Still can't believe 3 albums from this band got on. The only good song was the one that's basically just Werewolves of London 2.5/5
It's an odd one. There are some good songs but a lot of it feels a bit self-indulgent. I can't help thinking that history might have been different if everybody involved had pulling in the same direction.
Fine
7/10 Good album. Songs are a bit too long for what the album is trying to be Favourite Song=Listen To This Least Favourite Song=This Is What Shes Like
Oh, we’re finally back to unremarkable 80s English pop. Great.
Not bad, but not memorable either.
The third Dexys Midnight Runners I got on the list, and altough I loved one of them, I'm still unsure if I like the band. Let's wait for the fourth album.
Good. Classic. Nothing too bad but nothing revolutionary.
Get ready for this… Jexi’s midnight runners
i like to call them Jexi’s midnight runners :)
I do like “This is what she’s like” but I realise now that’s as far as it goes.
Better than expected, but not much
I got a 80's vibe from this. Well presented
I'm amazed more than one DMR album has made this list. Where they really that big or important at the time? That groundbreaking? This one a bit less annoying than the last one that came up, but still absolutely nothing really worth saving down or coming back to. Pretty bland. 2.5*
THEY ALL SOUNDED THE SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMEEEE!!!!!!
Feels like one which'll grow on me.
Enjoyed it, never listened to a whole album from them
Don't really know what to make of this album. A nice break from the usual 70's classic rock at least. Didn't hate it but didn't really love it either. Only ever really heard Come on Eileen before and wanted to like this but couldn't get on with the spoken word preamble on most tracks. Maybe worth another listen, another time.
The inclusion of “Too Rye Ay” on this list was understandable given the powerhouse of a hit that is “Come On Eileen”. While the rest of the album was as good, it was possibly good enough to get it on the list. This album, however doesn’t have any powerhouses. It doesn’t even have a regular hit. It’s got songs that have an enjoyable amount of cheekiness to them, but are otherwise fucking unintelligible. What are they talking about? Is this supposed to be good? Like an artsy sort of thing? My opinion is that it’s not good art if you don’t feel anything. This album had me feeling nothing. The album is tolerable and inoffensive if you don’t give it too much thought. Don’t believe it should have been on the list. Certainly not that great, but whatever. 3/5
Enjoyed this 1000 times more than anticipated. Disliked them purely off Come on Eileen and that daft hat the singer wears. But this was way better than I ever gave credit for. I was expecting uber 80s cheese pop, but this was more like a poppier version of Roxy Music. Not sure if it’s the thing I’d come back to, but a solid 3.5 for me
Very uneven album for me. 3
2/3
Fav: This Is What She’s Like Least Fav: Reminisce - Pt. 2 It was ok I guess, liked it a bit more than the other album by this group. It encapsulates a 5/10 rating
Super fun. Doesn't sound like 1985 but more like 1965 with better production. Cool. 3 stars
I enjoyed the songs “Listen To This”, “The Waltz”, “One of Those Things” and “Knowledge of Beauty”. The album was decent, but there was just a lot of rambling.
Who knew Dexy had songs and albums other than Come On Eileen?!?! This album had a distinctly 80’s feel that reminded me of Talking Heads. I liked that it had the feel but it was also distinctly original. Key tracks for me were the OccasionalFlicker and This Os What She Likes, though the 1960’s-esque Listen to This and it’s Motown bridges was a bop. I have to come back to this one this weekend!
Some poor record executive definitely got fired for this album. They were expecting Come On Eileen the sequel and they got this. Wow! It’s not a train wreck but there is nothing pop sounding on this album. Except maybe One of Those Things which is a total ripoff of Werewolves of London. I hope Warren Zevon got royalties for that song. I’m convinced that the record executive that greenlighted this release also started the "this is a hidden gem” noise. And then I end up listening to this a few times in 2024.
3.5
Not something I would normally listen too but quite enjoyable
frekar áhugavert popp. önnur, 3,5.
A bit chatty are we lads? I actually really enjoyed the looseness of the songs, there was just a bit too much chatter and that took me out of it. Can definitely see how this music would have a place in lively pubs. 3.5 stars
I think I missed a lot of the charm of this album by not really being able to hear the band interplay. Still 3⭐️
Way too much DMR on here.
The people that call this a "hidden gem" just want to act like they're some kind of music reviewing gods. This is an average 80's album.
I am strongly of the opinion that any track over 4 minutes long should be banned. Who writes a 12-minute song that sounds the same throughout!? 'Listen to This' and sections of 'The Waltz' were enjoyable enough to earn it an extra star but it still leaves this as a 2.5-star album.
Lots of talking but it's OK
Like... this isn't worth hearing. It's fine musically but not worth the list.
I really enjoyed this album as well. I don't know why I was so late in learning more about this band, I think Come On Eileen stereotyped them in my mind back then. Learning more about Dexys Midnight Runners really drives home the benefit of participating in this club to me. :)
Not my cup of tea but this is why I got into the project. To explore areas I was completely blind to.
Definitely quite inconsistent, but on the whole this album is interesting and pretty groovy, with some very high highs, but also some equally low lows.
I don’t like this album of Dexys. The production is too smooth and every Dexys quality (being an organized mess with a lot of instruments and energy) has been cut down. It’s ok, nothing more.
Kevin Rowland ditches the ragamuffin chic and half the band members with it. Though the music keeps that Northen Soul thing the constant interruptions of people having conversations throughout multiple songs gets simply annoying. There's a good album in here somewhere... Best Tracks: The Occasional Flicker; One of Those Things; Listen To This
I should pay attention to lyrics now, but I ain't a literary critic
More enjoyable than expected, and much more mellow. a lot of spoken word.
I’m not sure I was ever a big Dexys fan. Their songs were a bit Novelty for me. Come on Eileen and Jackie Wilson said our fun party songs but nothing that enriches my soul. Seeing that Dexys are on this list I presumed it would only be Too-Ray-Aye because that’s the famous one. I’d never even heard of this one but I actually prefer it to their 80s bouncy poppy shenanigans. Kevin Rowlands has a voice that is divisive but it worked here and it wasn’t overlong. I did hear the distinctive horn section at first and thought they were returning to form and then I’m sure I heard a Steve Winwood sample… at least they tried to break some boundaries.
It's chill. This is a hard one for me to get a read on. Were they trying to make a commercial failure? It seems like a personal album, introspective.
extensively sampling werewolves of london: hell yeah. enjoyed this a normal amount 👍
- it’s funny when they talk in songs - jumpscare in this is what she’s like!! bangin though - dude i thought the song had changed so i went to add it to my liked songs… nope it’s just a point at like 7:30. it’s damn good though! - the repetition of ‘it all sounds the same’ - an experience of an album for sure
Not their best
Did not particularly enjoy this. Interesting as a curiosity.
Three albums from Dexys Midnight Runners? That doesn’t seem appropriate considering there is so much music that hasn’t yet gotten a nod. Still, this may be the best one yet so… open mind… It’s not. It’s my least favorite of the three we’ve heard. I’m scratching my head. Not bad but very meh.
They're trying to look 60s with that album cover
Hard one this. I like the reinvention again it the tracks are often too long and outstanding their welcome. It bombed on release but does have a vision. Mixed bag.
idk if I'm in a slump, but all of these albums are sounding so mid to me lately.
First impression is that this singer has a very weird voice. The outro of This Is What She's Like really had me going, that sax section had me foot tapping like a mad man in my cubicle. Weird album, it was almost like not a lot was happening but then there was also so much happening at the same time. It is a very unique way that every song starts with a few minute long talking intro then ends with some catchy dance beats. There were parts of that album that I really liked and also parts that I didn't. Pretty much dead smack in the middle 3
A good album, I liked This Is What She's Like, Knowledge Of Beauty and One of Those Things.
It's fine
Never heard this album and only knew their cheesy hits from Top of the Pops and wedding discos! I didn’t recognise any of these tracks which was a blessing. Really pleasantly surprised. His vocals slightly annoying at times and I’m not sure about the talky bits, but the music made up for it. The Irish music shone through. A very high 3 stars that could grow into a 4 with a few more listens.
Stand down.
not so much an album as someone leaving the mike on while they got a round in down the dog & duck
This is an interesting one, I was under the impression that this band was a one-hit wonder ("Come On Eileen"), so I didn't expect to see an album of theirs without that song on here. I guess this was considered to be a major flop when it was released, but it's gained some critical acclaim over time. I generally like it enough overall. It definitely has some New Wave sound in the vocals, but the instrumentation feels less-so. It actually has some fairly unique spots with horns and string instruments and things. I feel like some of the best moments are just instrumental stretches (like some spots on "The Occasional Flicker" or the end of the last song "The Waltz"). The downsides are a few really long songs that drag on a bit, a lack of a real standout song, a few spoken word parts that I don't love, and vocals that aren't really my favorite style. It's generally solid and I can see why people like it, just a bit unexceptional to me. Favorite song: Listen To This Other: The Occasional Flicker, Knowledge Of Beauty, One Of Those Things, The Waltz 5/26/24
Their prior album is much more famous. Let's see if this one is tolerable.
hard album cover This Is What She’s Like is pretty funny
Main guys voice is WILD. Every time I see this band they're running like 12 dudes deep... How many ppl are in this? I like the album cover. "One of Those Things" sampling Werewolves of London was a nice surprise. Nothing special in particular but enjoyed parts of it, didn't really find myself wanting to skip at any time - also a relatively short album with an upbeat pace which helps make it an easier listen.
Is a pretty decent listen but not awfully memorable
Nothing really stands out as special about it. It's OK.
I have never heard a single song from this album, so I went in completely blind. I didn't mind this, but it didn't feel that cohesive. Sometimes I was bored, and sometimes I was jamming, but mostly just a little underwhelmed?
Better than expected but dragged down by the irritating spoken word mutterings.
Seriously? Second Dexys Midnight Runners' album and still no "come on Eileen"? So there will be another album from them on this list, making it at least three? Did Dexy create this list?
Really 3.5. Could do with out the skits.
Not terrible. Not something I'd repeat. 3
Some nice songs on here!
Quite short. I enjoyed it, but wouldn’t listen to it again on my own.
Downbeat. Not so good as the early stuff
A revelation. I would never have spent the time to listen, or expected what I got. I hope they are all making the music they always wanted to make.
Doesn’t quite have the heft of Rowland’s previous albums but enjoyable nevertheless. I’m fond of his idiosyncrasies but even I couldn’t quite overcome the volume of chit chat sections.
Mixed feelings about this one: there are some weaker parts between fine songs.
Strange album, strange band. They’re kind of all over the place and I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not. I didn’t hate it, though.
Sadly I agreed with the critics at the time of release.
I can understand why this flopped at the time: there’s no Come on Eileen 2 (or anything remotely resembling a hit), the songs are too long and dare I say it all sounds a bit self-indulgent. On the other hand I think I can see why I made the list: it’s got its own unique, whimsical personality, mostly formed by the lyrics and the humorous conversational asides between Kevin and Billy, which I personally found quite charming. Is that enough to make it a must-hear? Probably not, but I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt. 2.5 / 3
Such a middle of the road album. Nothing extraordinary
Great single, but not so bothered about the rest of the album
Enjoyed my first listen to the "Come on Eileen" band. Had some 'Pulp' potential and some good tunes: Knowledge of Beauty and Listen to This had good sounds, just wish they chatted less during the songs. Shame they had to disband after this.
En Spotify la describen como: blue-eyed soul. Creo que es una descripción que lo dice todo.
I agree with the other reviewers who say that Dexy's Midnight Runners didn't need three spots on this list. Sometimes it really feels like the author is just inserting his personal preferences to fill up space. Having said that, it's a better album that I expected. The band are talented songwriters and performers who did well in the UK, if not so much in the US. They have real talent. Despite that, it's just not the most exciting album in my opinion. It has its moments, but it's hard to stay excited when they keep switching to long passages of very quiet spoken word sections in the middle of songs. They are really trying to make you pay attention. For the dedicated fans who are willing to shut out the world and pay strict attention to every lyric, the pay off is probably great. But not everyone wants to devote so much energy to Dexy's Midnight Runners.
Decent, listenable new wave pop, but not something I’ll revisit. One of many Talking Heads copies.
Absolutely brilliant!!! Definitely worth the 3 stars I’m giving it. OK, some music is subjective and he’s ratings are relative. I thought the first Dixie’s album that I got on this list was practically unlistenable. I believe I said it was like a “bad Madness“ album. in comparison, I thought this was world’s better. Even though I’m still only going to give it a three, it was so much better than the first one that I would have to give them a most improved player award if one was available. That being said, I’ll likely never listen to this album again.
One hit wonders and that one hit wasn’t on here
Ok very 80’s
I put this on 4 times to try to see how that one critic could call it the "Pet Sounds" of the 80s. It's quite funny and insulting to be honest. I'm not saying this is bad, but comparing dry humor on top of purposely repetitive improvisations to dense, emotional lush pieces in Pet Sounds is just outrageous to me. So that critic must instead be making a shallow judgment of how impressive or well put-together this record is. To which I am also left unimpressed. I can see how it's a step forward from their previous two albums. It's still distinctively New Wave with British folk instruments, but it's less dance and pop-oriented, and more on jazz-like improvisations and spoken word. For some reason, the folk strings almost give off American country vibes. It's theatrical, even in short songs like "Listen to This" where the volume and tempo are constantly changing to match the vocals. My biggest complaint with their other 2 albums is that most of the songs were just sensory overload. Very messy and craze fueled. That's resolved here, and is appreciated with just 6 songs. There's some good diversity in here, but I did find it all to be dull. It tries to be bigger than it is, but the tracks don't meet the expectations. The pay-offs aren't that exciting. I was especially disappointed by the 13-minute "This is What She's Like". I did enjoy putting this on, and several of the tracks were memorable. There aren't any tracks I'd revisit, and I was bored by most of it, but I'm sure I'd have a more fun time seeing it live. I do think this is better than their previous 2 albums even though it lacks the creativity, energy, and hits.
3.1/5 Best Track: One of Those Things
I'm not a fan of the singer's style. It borders on melancholy whining. The music is reasonably good. I can listen to this but wouldn't seek it out.
nothing stood out to me, didn’t enjoy it that much but it wasn’t that bad, i don’t have any major issues with it, 6-7/10
J'ai aimé ça.
Not what I was expecting.
Not bad, they clearly stole "Werewolves of London" for one song. 3 stars.
OK, it's alright once you get used to the low, mush-mouth vocal style the singer sometimes employs. Too bad "Come On Eileen" isn't on here. Does "One of Those Things" straight-up rip off "Werewolves of London" or is it an homage or ironic sound-alike?
Three? THREE albums from this band? That's... a bit much. The album after the big hit is always hard. You want to show you're more than just a one-hit wonder. You try something different. And this album is... very different than the previous album. First off, a number of members left the band. So it was down to 4. Second off, this was not something that had "catchy" pop songs. But I liked things like "The Waltz" and "The Occasional Flicker". I was bothered by "One Of Those Things" and how blatantly it ripped off Zevon. But it was still not a bad song. It's a pretty solid album, and definitely a departure from "Come On Eileen," I just don't see why it was something I _NEEDED_ to hear. Perhaps the author is a DMR fan? Look, I have a lot of albums of one-hit wonders and their follow-ups which I think are better than the one-hit wonders. (Tracy Bonham, Living Colour, Extreme). They really progressed up from there. And maybe that's the point for this one. I guess I would have to listen to it again to "get it." But how many times do you have to do that for an album to hit you before you're just being hypnotized by the album itself? That's why I only try to do one or two listens to get my initial impressions. And my impression here is that it's good, but I don't see why THIS is on the list. Or why THREE of their albums are, to be honest.
I didn't hate it. But I didn't really get was so special about it either. Honestly, seeing a second album from Dexys had me scratching my head and reading up to see why they are not the one hit wonder I think they are (and that one hit was on the album I already rated). Apparently this album was panned on release. So why bother with it on this list? If Dexys did something cool with adding soul and horns to punk on their first album, fine...and then continued going soul to produce a big hit with added strings, fine. I guess. But recognizing this album (their third and final) is a bit much. Much ado about nothing more than average.
Where 'Searching For The Young Soil Rebels' was damn near perfect, this album struggled to gain my full attention. 'Don't Stand Me Down' is musically accomplished but overall feels pretentious and a little bit jaggy.
What an interesting voice lol "this is what she's like" has such an odd intro it's wild lol (I'm so drunk and forgot to write this when i listenedd to it lolol) I'm giving it a 3 out of 5 because It's not awful, but I don't think I'd pick it very often lol One of those things gives me "werewolves of london" vibes because it's literally the same chrod progression lol
Cant go beyond a 3.5, but enjoyed more than I thought I would when it started
Not hard to understand why this band is a one hit wonder.
6.5/10 - 3/5 It's alright. After the hit that was Come On Eileen, they really went in a weird direction. Too much talking and rambling, not enough energy or MUSIC, really.
The most enjoyable 3 3
eltrapeze est un tricheur
Aujourd'hui, je découvre avec horreur que j'ai fauté dans cette aventure des 1001. En effet, j'ai acheté le vinyle de cet album il y a deux ans de cela, et l'ai donc écouté avant qu'il soit officiellement débloqué par Robert... J'avais pourtant pris soin avant l'achat de vérifier la liste des 1001, et cet album ne semblait pas y figurer... J'assume les conséquences de mes actes, et suis prêt à m'exposer à la sanction que je mérite.
It has something. In the end, it seems to have something, but it's hard to get. Was it the format? The second song that starts with a chat, followed by a song, silence, and then another song? Slow song after song? Was it that what wasn't understood back in 85? and maybe it's not too straight-forward today? I will give it another try, maybe in 3 years.
Pretty jaunty and fun. Kinda halfway between the Springsteen and the Magnetic Fields. Liked it a lot more than I thought I would.
I found out this was by the come on eileen people and i could not stop hearing come one eileen after
Not bad, but when it's all said and done, I have a hard time believing this is a must hear album...
Why does it take 2 minutes to start the song, every song.... Kinda annoying, other than that not bad
It was pretty good. It didn't make me jump up and down with excitement to listen to it, but my ears weren't offended.