Aug 06 2021
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4
“Searching for the Young Soul Rebels” by Dexys Midnight Runners (1980)
“Dexys” is a term that apparently refers to kids in northern England who were recreational users of dextroamphetamine in the late 70s and early 80s. They wanted to stay awake all night to dance energetically, I suppose.
I recently read somewhere that during the WWII Battle of Britain (July-October 1940) the British RAF aircrews used dextroamphetamine (Benzedrine), while German Luftwaffe aircrews used methamphetamine (Pervitin). Everybody stayed high during the flights and the fights. But since dextroamphetamine leaves the system faster than methamphetamine, RAF crews could sleep the next day, but Luftwaffe crews could not. The result was long term German fatigue. If it had been the other way around, the title of this album might have been “Auf der Suche nach den jungen Seelenrebellen”.
The photo on the cover art depicts an Irish Roman Catholic boy being forced from his Belfast home in 1971.
These bits of background have significant explanatory power for one seeking to understand the creative impetus behind “Searching for the Young Soul Rebels”. You don’t have to search very far for the rebels. They’re the ones making the music, along with all serious listeners. And the music is a call for the hesitant fence-sitting warrior to get his ass back in the fight for the long term.
The best poetry in these Kevin Rowland lyrics comes to the listener in the imperative mood—anger on uppers. In “Keep It”, he scolds:
“You give credit for might, inspiration and sight
But you miss the point
You won't join the fight . . .
You hear the sounds, miss all the hooks
Your best is what you least understand
You hate the graft, won't join the race
You're scared to scar your pretty face
Safe now cause your head is in the sand”.
Okay, Kevin, you’ve got my attention. Now what? Your best is what I least understand. Help me, here, dude.
Well, on “There There My Dear”, we get “You're always so happy, how the hell?
You're like a dumb dumb patriot . . . You're supposed to be so angry, why not fight?” Alright, then give me a weapon and point me in the right direction. Crickets.
I personally wish he had been more explicit and less obscurely referential about what the hell we’re supposed to be fighting for, or even who the enemy is. But he apparently wasn’t writing for boomers raised in the Midwest U.S. (like me). This does not, however, diminish the art. It appeals to rebellious old guys with young souls. I can attest.
Spoken poetry on “Love Part One” is angrily potent, demanding a second listen. And a third . . . It’s good.
The sound throughout most of this album is refreshingly dominated by trombone of all things, ably performed by “Big” Jim Patterson (with significant use of dubbing, to good effect) and saxophones by Jeff Blythe and Babyface Spooner (Love that handle!). Added to this are the very musical bass lines by Pete Williams, resulting in a very attractive mix.
Vocals are uniformly bad. Don’t even get me started.
This album isn’t for everyone, which is fine by me. But it’s very good. I am so pissed, and I don’t even know why.
And finally, don’t do drugs, kids (unless you’re hurtling through home skies at 350 mph in a single engine Spitfire defending western civilization from the horrors of fascism—then we might make an exception).
4/5
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Jan 25 2021
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3
One I've not listened to before. Always heard praise for them but just thought of them as one hit wonders with "Come on Eileen" and kind of dismissed them. Love the way it starts with dialing through the radio. I'd bet this was a real fun live show to catch back around when this record came out. Ambitious punks trying to get soulful. Walking a fine line between earnestness and irony but it sure sounds like they are having a good time doing it. I think my favorite thing on the record is the verses on "thankfully not living in yorkshire..." (But not necessarily the choruses). Probably my favorite whole track is "tell me when my light turns green." I'd bet if I was really fucking drunk I'd love this.
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Jun 07 2021
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1
God awful vocal style shits all over a clearly talented band. Why you'd throw a microphone at a guy having a stroke rather than ring 999 is beyond me.
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May 20 2022
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5
There is something simply uplifting and joyous about Dexys - the exuberance, the horns, a bit of ska, a bit of northern soul, a bit of blues, a bit of chanting, a bit of foot stomping - and a charming sincerity from Rowlands. Imaging them in their pomp, 14 band members prowling the stage, smashing out the tunes, playing soul covers… I bet their gigs were legendary. Geno is an absolute monster (and as a side note, I listened to Geno Washington for the first time and boy let me tell you that cleared out the cobwebs!). Fast, furious, infectious.
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Jun 07 2021
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2
Come off it Eileen
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Jan 29 2021
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5
Love the little nudge to the specials at the start. Definitely a very good album with a nice touch with all the horns. Love the ska vibes it gives off
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Apr 06 2021
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2
I'm on record as being morally opposed to any "rock" band with a horn section. That comes into play here as every damn song is horn driven. I'm so sick of saxophones. Also, blue-eyed soul is just the worst. The. Worst. In short, this album was a trial to listen to and I didn't enjoy my time.
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Oct 21 2023
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2
I don’t really care for this radio station very much.
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Apr 09 2023
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5
The BRASS. Gotta love brass in a band. Most of the lyrics sailed right past my ears, but I enjoyed every song on the album with brass
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Sep 19 2022
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5
I can't pin point what it is, but there's just something special in this album. The ska and Talking Heads vibes, the talent of these young musicians, the general "mood". I don't know why, but this whole album filled me up with overwhelming joy.
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Aug 04 2022
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5
I was not expecting long songs for this punkish album, but it's not bad. I must say that I love it much more than I tough and I'll surely listen to it many more times in the future. A great point to this list. I like it very much when I discover new things around here!
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Feb 26 2023
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4
4.3 - An intoxicating energy that seems to jump off the wax. For me, Dexys is no longer the "Come on Eileen band." I love the husky brass fills coupled with Kevin Rowland's idiosyncratic vocals. I'm also fascinated by its milieu within the northern soul scene. Lots of bops on here, including "Geno", "Seven Days Too Long" and "I Couldn't Help It If I Tried."
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Mar 21 2021
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4
This was a grower. I guess you have to be in the right mood, as Kevin Rowland can be quite annoying. But it's very catchy, soulful, lots of horns.
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Jan 25 2021
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4
Totally melodramatic but sort of leaning into it, I like it??? The crooning vocals are so hamfisted but it sounds fun. I love the punk element. It's like punk D'Sievers. Like, this live would be a fun time with friends. I didn't know these guys were the ones who did "Come on Eileen" which is a banger. I agree with Jon that "Tell Me When My Light Turns Green" might be my fav, along with Geno. I'd prob give it a 3.5 but I'll round up to 4.
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May 21 2024
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3
p451. 1980. 3 stars.
The good: fabulous brass section and a handful of good songs.
The bad: Kevin Rowland's vocals. He can't sing and he has the worst articulation ever. It speaks volumes (unlike Kevin Rowland) that Spotify doesn't know most of the lyrics to the songs, probably because no-one can understand WTF he is saying.
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Jul 25 2021
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3
L'album est bon mais une fois de plus la voix dégueulasse de Kevin Rowland à mi-chemin entre une poule en panique et un Jeff Buckley constipé vient gâcher la fête.
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Jan 30 2021
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3
Groovy tunes, pretty catchy at parts but even 39 min is long for it 3.3
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May 09 2024
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1
This is pretty insufferable. When I started to think they might have something musically, the whiny vocals would kick in and ruin it.
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Jul 22 2024
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5
This album exceeded every expectation I had for it. Like most, I assume, the only song I knew by Dexys Midnight Runners was "Come on Eileen." I was pleasantly surprised by that song's absence from this album. I love that song, but one complaint I've had with this list is that it seems like if an album contains a massive hit, it makes it on this list even if the rest of the album doesn't compare (see: "Hunting High and Low" by a-ha). So when I saw that their biggest hit wasn't part of this album, I was excited and relieved.
And they didn't disappoint. I had no idea that the band used horns and other wind instruments so extensively in their arrangements. And I loved it. I'm a huge sucker for use of wind instruments in rock and pop music, and when I heard them on the very first track, I was in.
And I stayed in through 95% of this album. Track after track was just banger after banger. The only duds I'd make note of were "I Couldn't Help it if I Tried" and "Keep It." The Brit-Pop voice really come out in those tracks, and I just cannot stand the whiny, annoying texture to it. Oh and "I'm Just Looking" because the whispering at the start made me uncomfortable. The instrumentals were great throughout though, including the songs I didn't like as much because of the vocals.
Overall I really enjoyed this album and am really happy to be giving it five stars.
Standout Tracks: Burn It Down, Tell Me When My Light Turns Green, The Teams That Meet In Caffs, Geno, Seven Days Too Long, Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply, There There My Dear
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Jun 14 2024
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5
### **In-Depth Review of "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" by Dexys Midnight Runners**
Released in 1980, "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" marks the debut of Dexys Midnight Runners, a band led by the enigmatic Kevin Rowland. This album captures the zeitgeist of the post-punk era with a unique blend of soul, punk, and brass-driven pop, establishing Dexys as a distinctive force in the music scene. In this review, we will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses.
#### **Lyrics**
Kevin Rowland's lyrics are a cornerstone of the album, brimming with passion, introspection, and a sense of defiance. The songs tackle themes of youth, identity, and social issues with a raw and unfiltered intensity.
**Key Tracks and Lyric Analysis:**
1. **"Burn It Down"**: This opening track sets the tone with its urgent plea for authenticity and rejection of superficiality. The lyrics "I don't care if you're young or old, let's burn it down" encapsulate the rebellious spirit of the album.
2. **"Tell Me When My Light Turns Green"**: Rowland's introspective side shines through in this song, reflecting on personal struggle and the search for direction. The repeated line "I'm so confused and full of fear" conveys vulnerability and a yearning for clarity.
3. **"Geno"**: A tribute to soul singer Geno Washington, this track celebrates musical inspiration and the impact of role models. The lyrics "You were my torch / Now I wanna be like you" highlight the admiration and aspiration that drive young musicians.
4. **"There, There, My Dear"**: This song is a scathing critique of the music industry and phoniness. Rowland's sharp wit is evident in lines like "You must be joking, oh man, you must be joking."
The album's lyrical content is a mix of personal reflection and social commentary, delivered with a poetic yet direct approach. Rowland's emotive delivery adds an additional layer of sincerity and urgency to the words.
#### **Music**
Musically, "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" is a vibrant fusion of genres, primarily characterized by its brass arrangements, soul influences, and punk energy. The band employs a variety of instruments, creating a rich and dynamic sound.
**Instrumentation and Arrangements:**
1. **Brass Section**: The prominent use of brass instruments, including saxophones and trombones, gives the album its distinctive sound. Tracks like "Burn It Down" and "Geno" showcase the brass section's ability to drive the melody and add a punchy, rhythmic element.
2. **Rhythm Section**: The bass and drums provide a solid foundation, propelling the songs with infectious grooves. The rhythm section's tight, energetic performance is crucial in maintaining the album's momentum.
3. **Melodic Hooks**: The album is filled with catchy hooks and memorable melodies. Songs like "Seven Days Too Long" and "Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply" demonstrate the band's knack for crafting sing-along choruses.
4. **Vocal Delivery**: Kevin Rowland's vocal style is impassioned and raw, often teetering on the edge of control. His delivery adds an element of emotional intensity, making each song feel deeply personal.
The music on this album stands out for its eclecticism and the seamless blending of different influences, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking.
#### **Production**
Produced by Pete Wingfield, the album's production is both polished and gritty, capturing the band's energetic performance while allowing the rawness of the music to shine through. The production choices reflect the era's DIY ethic, with a focus on authenticity and immediacy.
**Production Highlights:**
1. **Live Feel**: The production captures the feel of a live performance, with an emphasis on the interplay between the instruments. This approach lends the album a sense of spontaneity and vibrancy.
2. **Balanced Mix**: The mix is well-balanced, ensuring that each instrument is clearly audible without overpowering the others. The brass section, in particular, is given prominence without overshadowing the vocals or rhythm section.
3. **Sound Quality**: While the sound quality reflects the limitations of the time, it also adds to the album's charm. The slight roughness and imperfections contribute to the overall authenticity and character of the music.
4. **Use of Dynamics**: The production effectively uses dynamics to enhance the emotional impact of the songs. Quiet introspective moments are juxtaposed with explosive choruses, creating a sense of drama and intensity.
#### **Themes**
The themes explored in "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" are deeply rooted in the experiences and struggles of youth. The album delves into topics such as identity, rebellion, social consciousness, and the power of music as a form of expression and escape.
**Core Themes:**
1. **Rebellion and Authenticity**: The album's title itself hints at a quest for genuine expression and a rejection of conformity. This theme is prevalent in songs like "Burn It Down" and "There, There, My Dear."
2. **Youthful Idealism**: Many of the tracks reflect a sense of youthful idealism and the search for meaning. This is evident in "Tell Me When My Light Turns Green," where the protagonist grapples with uncertainty and the desire for direction.
3. **Social Commentary**: Rowland's lyrics often touch on social issues and critique the status quo. "There, There, My Dear" is a prime example, with its pointed criticism of the music industry and societal expectations.
4. **Musical Inspiration**: The influence of soul music is a recurring theme, particularly in "Geno," which pays homage to the impact of musical idols. This theme underscores the idea of music as a transformative and inspirational force.
#### **Influence**
"Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" left a significant mark on the music landscape, influencing both contemporaries and future generations of musicians. Its fusion of genres and innovative use of brass instruments set it apart from other releases of the time.
**Impact and Legacy:**
1. **Genre Fusion**: The album's blend of soul, punk, and pop elements paved the way for other bands to explore cross-genre experimentation. This approach influenced the development of new wave and alternative rock in the 1980s.
2. **Brass Revival**: Dexys Midnight Runners' prominent use of brass instruments helped revive interest in brass-driven music, influencing bands like The Specials and Madness.
3. **Lyricism**: Kevin Rowland's candid and introspective lyricism set a new standard for emotional honesty in music. His style has been cited as an influence by artists who value lyrical depth and personal storytelling.
4. **Cultural Impact**: The album's themes of rebellion and authenticity resonated with a generation of listeners who were seeking their own identities in a rapidly changing world. This cultural impact extends beyond music, reflecting broader social and political movements of the time.
#### **Pros and Cons**
**Pros:**
1. **Innovative Sound**: The unique fusion of soul, punk, and pop elements creates a fresh and dynamic listening experience.
2. **Emotional Intensity**: Kevin Rowland's passionate vocal delivery and introspective lyrics add depth and sincerity to the album.
3. **Strong Musicianship**: The band's tight performance and skillful use of brass instruments set a high standard for musical excellence.
4. **Cultural Relevance**: The themes of rebellion, authenticity, and social consciousness resonate with listeners and reflect the spirit of the era.
**Cons:**
1. **Production Roughness**: While the raw production adds to the album's charm, it may be perceived as unpolished by some listeners accustomed to modern production standards.
2. **Niche Appeal**: The distinctive style and eclectic influences may not appeal to all listeners, particularly those who prefer more conventional genres.
3. **Intense Vocal Delivery**: Kevin Rowland's vocal style, characterized by its intensity and occasional unpredictability, might be polarizing for some audiences.
4. **Inconsistent Pacing**: The album's pacing can feel uneven at times, with some tracks significantly more compelling than others.
### **Conclusion**
"Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" by Dexys Midnight Runners is a landmark album that combines lyrical depth, musical innovation, and thematic relevance. Its strengths lie in its passionate delivery, eclectic sound, and poignant social commentary. While it has some rough edges and may not cater to all tastes, its impact on the music landscape and its enduring cultural significance are undeniable. This album remains a testament to the power of music as a vehicle for personal expression and social change.
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Aug 29 2023
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5
Any album - well, there's probably only one - that contains the lyric "You're supposed to be so angry, why not fight? Let me benefit from your rage" is going to get five stars from me.
Dexys are a strange act. Kevin Rowland drove the band relentlessly, mercilessly. Finding out about it makes it seem cultish and worrying. One cannot argue that the result isn't some of the tightest band work it's possible to imagine.
The legacy of Come on Eileen makes Dexy's seem like less than they are. Geno is a superior song in almost every way, but There There My Dear is just sublime. The uniform incomprehensibility of the lyrics notwithstanding, the lyricism is unbelievably strong. It's hard not to nod toward Feargal Sharkey, especially "It's going to happen" - released a year after this album, the horns are clearly drawing inspiration.
Talking of inspiration - Quantic's Sol Clap - released 30 years after this album - is one of the only times I can point to horns with such macho pomp. Such confident, balls out joy of strutting around. What fun!
Anyway - Dexys. The album is a hoot. High energy, high talent, and with more than a few absolutely stand out tracks. Not to mention that Come on Eileen is central to the opening of the best episode of Spaced. It has to be one of the best albums of the past 50 years.
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Dec 16 2022
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5
I was surprised that I enjoyed this so much. I knew their one hit, 'Good night, Irene', when it first came out, but knew nothing else about the band. This album has a lot to offer.
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Oct 13 2022
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5
Love this - a real classic album, both timeless and completely of its time.
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Nov 10 2021
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4
Okay. I know Geno, and that this is a band which had a very loyal following.
A strong couple of openers to start. I'm not sure I love the strained singing voice, but it does make Dexys sound unique beyond their brass led music.
Bold to then have a four minute instrumental, The Teams That Meet In Caffs. It had to be good not to lose me, and thankfully it is.
The run from Geno (an all timer) to Thankfully Not Living In Yorkshire..." (an odd falsetto Northern Soul stomper) is bloody good!
Even a poem being read out doesn't offend me. Have I mellowed in my old age, or is this band just dead charming?!
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Jul 12 2021
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4
This was quite an enjoyable album from an important time and music scene. I found it to be a fusion of punk and ska. The vocals are a punk growl that is Johnny Rotten like while the horns remind me of The Skatalites.
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Nov 29 2024
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3
I have tried to get into this band before - beyond their one hit - but the singer’s voice is always a pretty difficult obstacle to overcome. I like a rock band with a brass section and enjoyed this album but the vocals kept me from enjoying more.
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Nov 24 2024
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2
I am a little baffled as to why this band has 3 albums on the list. I found this album to be a little tiresome.
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May 31 2024
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2
Can dig some of the horns here and the soul influences, but honestly, just give me The Clash.
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Nov 24 2024
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1
His voice is not pleasing to me. Kinda marching band like. I thought I'd like it but no. At least it's short
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Aug 04 2022
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1
The only thing special about these guys is that in 1982 they were somehow able to chart the most vile and disgusting song in pop music (Cum on Eileen).
This album was absolutely wretched.
The album title indicates there'd be soul on this one. I didn't hear any soul, but I did hear calamitous horns.
Lot's of brass, actually.
Saxophones(?), trombones(?), trumpets(?)... I'm not sure, all I know is that horns blow and so did this album.
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Nov 27 2024
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5
im not mentally all here rn so youll have to forgive the lack of specific observations but oh my god this is so good lmao. a weird combo of styles (ska and soul and new wave in this case)? hyper-melodicism? constantly varied and unapologetically bright colors of timbre? barrelling forward momentum that doesnt sacrifice variety?? thats azzy miniike's music.......might have to give this band a real serious dedicated shake!
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Oct 24 2024
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5
Marvellous. And I do hope I’m the first with a “they’ve got the horn” joke.
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Oct 23 2024
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5
Fucking marvellous.
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Oct 11 2024
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5
Really enjoyed
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Aug 01 2024
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5
Wonderful sound! thanks for introducing me to this jewel!
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Jul 19 2024
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5
A lot of fun! They’re more than just Eileen.
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Jul 18 2024
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5
I had only ever heard Come On Eileen by this band, which I love, so I'm not surprised that I really enjoyed this album! I love the incorporation of the horns - almost every song on this album is a bop.
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Jul 05 2024
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5
Joyful, like all Dexys albums. But these three in particular.
Tempted to take a point off for the verses for Thankfully Not Living In Yorkshire... I mean what
But then. The brass!
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Jun 09 2024
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5
This was great. I was one of these who had only heard Come on Eileen and didn't really get why this group has multiple albums on the list. This one at least I'm glad was here.
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Apr 24 2024
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5
I dunno. Would rather listen to their soul and reggae influences.
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Apr 18 2024
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5
This was a really fun album and enjoyed it.
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Apr 10 2024
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5
Love it
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Mar 01 2024
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5
Great poppy funky jazzy 80s stuff
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Feb 08 2024
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5
Wow what a wild album. Great horn section - and just felt like a precursor or early ska album. I would definitely listen again.
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Jan 17 2024
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5
Whole album felt kinda sloppy and uninspiring
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Jan 15 2024
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5
Such fantastic energy - I bet their live shows were amazing!
I was introduced to Dexys way back when (along with the Waterboys, who I haven't had yet in this project, but I'm pretty sure there's at least one of theirs on the list) so have a certain amount of nostalgia for them, but I gotta think I'd be super into this even if I was hearing it for the first time. I guess Kevin Rowland's vocals can be a bit divisive, but I think they work.
Love the radio dial intro - here's some hard rock, punk, ska, and brass band music, and while that's not what's coming next..... it kinda has elements of all of those!
Fave tracks - "Burn it Down", "Geno", "Seven Days Too Long". "There There My Dear".... I mean "Thankfully Not Living In Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply" could make the list too, it's a laugh!
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Jan 08 2024
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5
Großartig!
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Nov 02 2023
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5
HORNS! 5/5
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Oct 05 2023
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5
What a fun album to listen to. The pacing of the entire thing was perfect. You can hear how the mix of punk, reggae, and disco that this album explores would influence ska music that would rise in popularity a decade later.
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Sep 09 2023
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5
Slaps
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Jul 05 2023
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5
Una especie de The Cure animado y trompetero. Les compro el vinilo, va.
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Jun 14 2023
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5
Tuota en ole varma okno tietoisuuden tilaa ollut heh tarpeeksi kun jokanen kappale kuullosti uskomattomalta häh paskaahan tämä on..
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Apr 12 2023
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5
I wasn't sure I needed another album from Dexy's Midnight Runners. Isn't there just "Come On Eileen"?
Turns out there is a lot more. I love the horn section and the organ with the punky attitude. It's a surprisingly effective combination that would see revisited later in groups like The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
A trombone with attitude is always welcome in my house. Glad to experience this album!
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Feb 26 2023
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5
One of the best blue-eyed soul albums out there. You could really feel the combination of new elements and the tradition of soul. England is the best country for modern music, hands down.
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Feb 19 2023
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5
Unexpectedly fun! Not a fan of punk normally but this blend of styles did it for me.
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Feb 10 2023
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5
jaaa amaze
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Nov 25 2022
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5
Thankfully not living in Yorkshire is so good but so random
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Nov 18 2022
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5
Early ska/punk, this is my jam, shame it wasn't the right weather for it but still great stuff
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Oct 27 2022
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5
Classic album from one of the best UK bands from the 80s - does not contain a single weak song. Ome of these like-it-or-not albums and this factor is more or less determined by whether or not you like the first song: Burn It Down / Dance Stance, one of their best singles. The bonus edition contains the Plan B single which is very different from the version on the follow-up album when they (that is, Kevin Rowland) changed style. I do appreciate that album as well and although concerts from that lineup must have been great to attend, a concert by the original Dexys lineup, with horn section, must have been more special.
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Oct 27 2022
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5
Yes, another pearl from the 1001 catalogue. Great songs performed by intense vocals and swinging brass instruments.
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Oct 23 2022
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5
One of th greatest albums ever made. In my all time top 5
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Oct 14 2022
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5
cool
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Sep 15 2022
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5
the more I listen to this bands stuff, the more amazing it all sounds
no complaints - easily a 10/10
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Aug 05 2022
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5
biggest surprise so far - loved the sound
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Apr 18 2022
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5
This is a fab album- love the sound!
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Apr 10 2022
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5
The first side of this is just astonishing - six, even seven stars. A fully formed sound from nowhere. If the second half can't quite sustain the extra-ordinary first five tracks (of which Geno is perhaps the weakest. Think about that.) then its just by comparison. An album so in love with a form of music it seems entirely natural to have a cover from that genre that fits perfectly.
ps fun fact Burn It Down was called Dance Stance on original release, as I have the 45.
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Feb 10 2022
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5
Una especie de The Cure animado y trompetero. Les compro el vinilo, va.
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Nov 25 2021
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5
So so good omg
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Jun 17 2021
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5
I really dug this album with its punk sound meets some classical/jazz instrumental ensemble. It gave me some pep in my step and swing in my jive
Top Tracks: Tell Me Why My Light Turns Green, Geno, Burn it Down, There There My Dear
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Apr 11 2021
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5
vibey but old
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Feb 17 2021
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5
Fantastic
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Jan 26 2021
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5
Fantastic album.
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Jan 27 2021
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5
Que pieza tan maravillosa de la música, bonito rock steady, bonito ska, bonito blue eyes
Sin duda un gran aporte al New wave
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May 28 2021
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5
Wonderful
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Dec 19 2024
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4
Bouncy.
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Dec 09 2024
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4
Kevin Rowland's vocal affectations are pretty marmite. I can live with them. This is a good album. Varied and kept my interest. 4/5.
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Dec 06 2024
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4
Nice music. 8/10
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Nov 27 2024
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4
This whole new vibe could be interpreted as pretentious, arrogant, obnoxious, but no- this guys are just savages an they're kind of insane probably.
Love the marching band sounds, the horn, the unrefined voice.
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Nov 26 2024
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4
Really surprising effort from what I thought was a “one hit wonder”
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Nov 20 2024
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4
The ska/soul/rock influences are there, but it still manages to sound like nothing else before it. His singing is really messy and expressive, pathetic and theatrical, and I think it works well at times. I prefer this version of 'Seven Days Too Long' to Chuck Wood's.
That style does start to wear thin by the end of the album. And there were more slow songs than I would have expected. But it was good. The more lively stuff felt outrageous.
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Nov 20 2024
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4
Y'know, I liked this! I expected the vocal style to grate on me, but I ended up liking it. Loved the horns, too. I think I'd be delighted if a song from this album came up on shuffle. 4 stars - will be adding this to my collection.
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Nov 01 2024
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4
Enjoyable high energy album. I heard it a couple of days ago so the details are a blur but I liked it.
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Oct 31 2024
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4
This is the album that made me realize that they are a ska band and I’m ok with that.
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Oct 24 2024
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4
I can't give this less than 4, even though Dexys ruined everything by subsequently releasing Come On Eileen which I've always utterly loathed. However. I always loved Geno, so I was very happy to give this a whirl, and I wasn't disappointed. I don't love Kevin Rowland's voice, it's true. But I really like the "brass with attitude and despair" sound. I Couldn't Help It If I Tried is a great track. And Geno is still awesome. I just wish their output had ended here.
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Oct 23 2024
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4
Surprised. Not a fan of the overly emotive vocals but overall nice music.
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Oct 21 2024
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4
great band
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Oct 21 2024
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4
Enjoyed this - funny that their most famous song is kind of their most annoying one. Favourites - The Teams that Meet in Caffs, and Geno
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Oct 18 2024
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4
Really good album. Northern Soul meets Punk. It was new and fresh and different back in the day and still gets plenty of airplay today. Northern soul is enjoying a revival at the moment and if you go to any soul cafe or other venue playing soul music there is a good chance the dj will slip in one or two Dexys songs.
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Oct 14 2024
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4
So viele Lieder waren kurz davor so gut zu sein, dass ich sie gespeichert hätte
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Oct 14 2024
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4
is it crazy to give this a 5 i actually just really enjoyed this one and i’m feeling generous tonight
no yeah this was awesome
okay i’m not gonna give it a 5 but i feel like i haven’t felt very specific way about an album since magazine and i can’t quite explain what i mean by that
but just know that this specific 4 is a higher 4 than the previous 4’s i have given
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Oct 14 2024
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4
Pre-listening thoughts: come on im dean and my hands are so clean at this moment I am stapling
Post/during listening thoughts: this ain’t even the one with come on Eileen on it. Wait but this is kinda fire. Why were they a one hit wonder they should have had so many more hits! 😕 8.5/10
DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no there’s so much like it out there but man I enjoyed this!
Fav tracks: Tell Me When My Light Turns Green, Geno, Seven Days Too Long, Thankfully Living in Yorkshire…, Keep It
Least fav tracks:
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Oct 11 2024
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4
got to say - this kind of music usually really gets on my nerves but I loved this one !!!
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Oct 09 2024
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4
I like the upbeat nature of the music and the incorporation of brass instruments. The singing is weird - the words are largely unintelligible - but I feel it goes really well with the vibe of the music. This feels like a precursor to ska, which I liked back in the day.
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Oct 09 2024
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4
I love the horns on this album! This is like an early British ska band. That was a real big fan of 7 days is too long and Tell me when my light turns green. I wasn't crazy about the slow songs, but I like this album way more than I was expecting.
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Oct 01 2024
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4
So close to a 5 star. The contrast with the keening vocals of Rowlands with the upbeat backing of the band is astonishingly good. Love this album
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Sep 27 2024
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4
Actually really good
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Sep 26 2024
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4
Extra star for sheer girth.
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Sep 23 2024
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4
I've always liked this album. A very British mash up of soul, ska and I guess folk. Geno was such a good single, really made an impression on me at the time. Still enjoy listening to this.
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Sep 20 2024
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4
So, my second Dexy’s album. The biggest issue I had with Too Rye Aye was that the songs didn’t stand out from each other particularly. Searching For The Young Soul Rebels is much better in this regard, it’s all memorable and all pretty good. But, Too Rye Ay has the benefit of having Come On Eileen which is an all time classic Pop song. Geno is the big Pop single for this album, and I love it. It’s a great song, but it isn’t as good as Come On Eileen or even their cover of Jackie Wilson Said
All in all, Young Soul Rebels is the better album, but Too Rye Ay has the higher high point. I think that the higher quality of the deep cuts compared to the singles means that I have to give it a higher rating
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Sep 16 2024
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4
I danced to Come On Eileen with my other daughter at her wedding so I have a definite soft spot for DMR. Imagine my surprise when I listened to this and realized they possessed a creative depth unknown to me. There, There, My Dear especially stands out in this regard.
Time to go to the record store.
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