Searching For The Young Soul Rebels

The vocals kind of ruined it for me, otherwise not too bad

So from my last experience with this band, my hopes weren’t high as they didn’t really connect with me, and sadly I landed in a similar (perhaps slightly more positively leaning) position. I just really do not like the singing style of the lead. What I’m sure is passion, comes across as angst. The instrumentals are all very good, and the arrangements are really full of life. I also enjoyed the opening, and how it basically conveyed this albums manifesto. But yeah those vocals really hold it back for me.

Enjoyed this one more than don't stand me, can see how influential this album was.

7/10 Good album

A wash of 80s pop. Not for me. 4/10

Surprisingly fun. It’s classified as soul but doesn’t really sound like it, which is a good thing for me since I don’t like this genre. It feels a lot more like rock than soul. It’s energetic and somewhat catchy; the vocals are pleasant. Not the most exciting album but still fun. 7/10

A good album, I liked Burn It Down and The Teams That Meet In Caffs the most.

Oh, I‘m such a slut for brass. I hate the whiny vocals, but whenever I tried to form a coherent thought about them, I got distracted by how much I love wind instruments.

A bouncy and fun jaunt. Still not entirely sure why this band warrants three whole albums on the list, however.

Kind of a ska-esque wedding band type they’ve got going. It won’t prompt deep discussions on music theory or lyrics, but hey, these gents sure sound like they’re having fun.

Come on Eileen! We got to tooooo raa toooo raaa tooo raaa ayyyyy! There's no reason these lads should have 3 albums on this list (unless you're from the UK).

This was pretty great, maybe my favorite of the three Dexys records on here. Geno is a classic. Very strong four.

I'm kind of surprised to see this one today. This makes two for Dexys Midnight Runners for me and surely one is enough. A quick review on this one because there isn't much to say. It's fine. Not as good as Too Rye Ay. I do like the brass on this one but it just kind of lacks something. 3/5

Commence funk devient rock, hétérogène mais il y a de vrais bons titres à garder.

Yeah, pretty good. Kevin Rowland's voice is definitely idiosyncratic, and his style gets a bit much at times, but it's also distinctive and fits some of the songs very well. Would listen again.

Oh finally! The most infamous band on the list! If you’ve hear anything about this project is that DMR have three albums in it for some reason while <insert your favorite band here> have none/too few. Anyway I have to say I really love how British punk was so quick to figure out straight up punk would get boring so they added raggae and ska and all that. I mean the credit should go to The Clash first and foremost and then other band who expanded on that like The Specials. This is another nice album in this vein but nothing earth shattering. Two stars.

Nan music. And I’m 52.

Annoying vocals and does not sound like soul. Including a poem when the album is only 39 minutes long is a bold decision.

This album has a lot of good parts, but those long instrumentals are dragging it down in my mind.

This has got to be the most middle of the road album I've listened to yet. I didn't actively dislike it, but I didn't like it either. Feels harsh giving it a 2* but I can't justify the third star. Favourites: The Teams That Meet In Caffs Seven Days Too Long

Always interesting to check out the hidden albums of one-hit-wonders. I could drink to this! Maybe didn’t earn any downloads from me - but a fun listen overall.

Horns were well done, not my vibe really but wasn’t terrible.

On balance I liked Too Rye Ay and Come On Eileen better than Searching For The Young Soul Rebels and Geno. 3.5

I’ve had not great success with the other DMR albums on this list but this is a big hit for me!! Very fun, almost ska-like, lots of hooks, and short! Great album!

Did not enjoy.

The band is great! The singing is lousy!

this song tells a complet story!! it is kinda fire

rock. groove. bluesey. souly?

I really do not like the wobbly vocals. Favourite track towards the start of the album is easily the instrumental "The Teams That Meet in Caffs". Ok and I have to admit "Seven Days is Too Long" is kinda fun. The vocals on "Thankfully Not Living In Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply" should be super annoying but I think I find it somewhat refreshing. Some of the horn riffs are compelling, like at the end of "Keep It". Honestly if they made an entirely instrumental album I might be really into it. I thought I was heading to 1 star territory after the first two tracks, but they kinda won me back with some catchy horns. 2.7/5

7/10

Too many horns for my liking.

Love the production sound of this band. The brass is fabulous. Good to hear there is more to Dexys Midnight Runners than just the singles. The album is fairly consistent but the excellence is really about the hit singles. A good listen, only one step away from excellent.

I think like a lot of people my age, the only Dexys Midnight Runners song I know is Come On Eileen. That said, I’ve never seen them as a one-hit wonder, just a band that didn't manage to gain much of a new fanbase with the younger generation. Either way, this was pretty good. It's hard to describe but I just felt that the whole thing was lacking some sort of nondescript element that held it back from being truly great, though.

This was fine, but I've had 2 albums by Dexys so far and neither of them had Come On Eileen on it. Seems a bit overkill.

Couldn't understand a single word of the lyrics.

I'd only ever really heard Come on Eileen (garbage) and Geno (decent) from DMR, so this was a nice look at what they're all about. The album could use a little bit more pep, but it's pretty good.

It's kinda weird to think of this as a punk album, my mind went to slow ska at first, but I guess punk has always kinda been about trying shit out. It was a fun album to listen to, but I had a tough time trying to make out the lyrics.

I liked this OK, though I prefer whatever their sound is on Come On Eileen. The singer is a little much, and the soul instrumentals try a little too hard.

Ok for 80s new wave. Ska roots

So. Many. Horns. It’s like a high school marching band added on a Bowie impressionist vocalist. None of this is to say it’s bad. It’s very good. Lots of energy. One song (Thankfully Living in Yorkshire…) sounds like it’s straight out of a Beck album.

At first I liked it. But then it started to piss me off.

I don’t understand why I have to listen to another album by a one hit wonder band when it doesn’t even have the one hit on it. It was fine, but it is nothing I ever have to hear again.

No. Not ever.

It must be said that the horns on this album are very nice. They combine with the percussion well. I liked a few of the songs on the second half. There are a couple moments in the album where there are layered vocals that create a male choir like effect, such as in the chorus of seven days is too long, which I like. I guess you could say the background vocals suit my taste more than the lead vocals. generally speaking I don't love this singer. Geno was my favorite song and I could actually see myself listening to it on my own volition sometimes, which is more than I could say for many of the other albums we've heard so far. 5.5/10

Most people only know this band (if they know them at all) for "Come on Eileen," which was on their *2nd* album, but this is their 1st album. For me, it's a little like Sly's "There's a Riot Going On" -- I've had the album for a long time, and this is a reminder that I should have been listening to it more (and should do so in the days ahead). This one is definitely between 4 and 5, and if 4.5 were an option, there's a good chance I'd go with that, but I guess I'll go (a little reluctantly) with 4 stars (again making me wish I could maybe lower a few of my early 4 stars ratings). The singer's voice is, umm, a bit *different*, but somehow, for me at least, it's not too offputting -- even, sort of, becomes part of what makes this band unique. Not sure exactly why that is, as weird (which often lies close to untuneful - if that's a word) voices often are offputting for me. Anyway, I'm pleasantly surprised to even see this album here in this list (although 1001 is indeed a lot of albums). Bonus points for a few of those song titles? (But 4 stars based on the songs alone.)

it's challenging to listen to singing like this for an hour

🤷‍♂️

It was upbeat but nothing stood out to me.

This is when I really like 1000 albums. Based on Come On Eileen, I had no interest in this album and assumed it would be generic 80s British indie. But this is so vibrant and alive, mixing angry punk with ska-y brass and soul singalongs. Excellent.

2 - not very good, annoying voice

Perfectly pleasant, but forgettable

Not the worst album I've gotten on this list by a long shot, as there is some real crap out there. But I didn't really like it, either. 2.33 rounded down. 2.

No thank you

I do not like this group.

I like it. Yes, the vocals are not great but I surprisingly don't really mind. I do enjoy the horns and the almost ska vibe. I didn't have a chance to really sit down and listen to the album in one full sitting, I think it's one that I could come back and potentially appreciate more or at least give a more decisive rating on.

There didn't seem to be much going for this.

Everything was going great until I’m just looking and then that songs energy made me wanna bail so hard that I took a 30 hour break from this album. It’s a good album! There’s a lot of sampleable stuff on here, a lot of football game anthem sounding stuff next to talking heads homages. Seven days too long is a great talking heads song. Tell me my light turns green is a great football horn section. I’m at a high three low four simply because I do not like I’m just looking. I’ll give it a 4 but if I never return to anything here I’m bumping it down to a 3.

Très sympa, pop rock un peu jazzy, vibe British façon Beatles plus moderne

J’ai adoré ! J’ai reconnu le groupe qui chante « Come on Eileen » J’adore la voix du chanteur, l’énergie, les instruments ! Ça change vraiment de tout ce qu’on a pu entendre depuis le début sans que ce soir complètement hors sol

Un peu long mais c'était cool !

I only discovered this record a couple of years ago and it's been in medium-heavy rotation ever since. If I'm having a hard time, Tell me when my lights turn green can make me cry from the sweet relief that comes from not being so alone in your feelings. Geno is another great tune. And what a horn section! They sound like they put on a helluva fun show.

This collection definitely doesn't need three Dexys Midnight Runner albums, but ironically, now that I've heard all three, I'd actually say their debut album is not only the best of the lot, but probably the only one needed in the collection (although I probably would have missed "Come on Eileen" if that were the case). The opening track "Burn it down" sets a nice pace and expectation, and for the most part the rest of the album delivers on this (not sure that the instrumental "The teams that meet in caffs" was all that necessary, though). I also enjoyed "Geno" and the closing track "There there my dear" (with a fun video, although it looks a bit like goose-stepping towards the end), and wanted to enjoy the cover of Chuck Wood's "Seven days too long" more than I did, but despite a few nice points it doesn't really improve much on the original. Overall, though, this album is definitely better than I feared after having already heard the other two. Probably not the most inspiring endorsement for three stars, I know.

Surprisingly good--wish it had been all instrumentals--they're the best part. I hate the moaning tone in the lead singer's voice, but it works on the Yorkshire song.

Didn't really strike me as anything too special.

Starts slowly but gets stronger

Like his voice and front-man energy. Found Geno and There There stand-out tracks and the rest all listenable enough if unmemorable.

Come on…

I liked this a lot more than I was expecting. 6.8 Fav track: There There, My Dear Least fav: I Couldn't Help It If I Tried

I don't know. Meh. 2? The brass band and the Yorkshire song are funny.

2026.02.10.

I always kind of feel like I should enjoy DMR more than I do? For example, the track Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire feels so similar to the band Sparks who I love so much and yet it doesn’t quite land for me regardless. There’s just something about their sound overall that I can’t quite grasp or appreciate, although I definitely do like elements. I don’t know!

These guys are just good, slightly odd fun. I rate it.

Despite Kevin Rowland being a cock I did enjoy this, some classic tracks, notably Geno and there there my dear

I only really knew Geno (and of course Eileen, which doesn’t feature here. This was pretty good. Huge range of styles and approaches. Clearly a strong influence on Custard, and others of their ilk.

what a fun surprise!

Third album in a row where it’s the last album on the list for that artist. How about that - we’re cleaning up here. Like the above examples, I enjoyed this record the most. I have not warmed up to DMR the way I (kind of) did for Sonic Youth and Moz, but I didn’t grind my teeth for the duration of this record like I did for the other two. I still really have trouble with Rowland’s voice and I’m not riveted by the songs, but there were moments I managed to enjoy. I came pretty close to outright liking “Seven Days Too Long”.

Something to do to kill time us look at the list and try to find the most egregious mistakes. One option will always be having THREE Dexys albums. I could be convinced that one is acceptable, but I'm also open to the idea that zero is the right number. Apparently this is a band as important and influential as U2 or Van Morrison. The worst bit is this is actually a pretty good album. No standouts, but no duds either. Not a bad listen, but one of the most important or influential albums ever made. No sane person could argue yes

This album is a true mixed bag. It started off great and there are some bangers here - the more up-tempo songs are great but the slower ones drag on for an eternity, each of them. 3/5 as it's not bad but it could, in my opinion, be so much better.

Nja... Denna gillade jag inget vidare. Tror det är för mycket saxofoner för min smak :)

The first song of this album starts with some radio samplings and then the horns and drums enter followed by... Goofy??? Holly hell, these vocals are insufferable and they are the same through the whole album. I usually like some extravagant singing, but this was too much for my taste. The four times I listened to this was miserable. Ok, but there is more than the vocals... except that everything else was also incredibly uninteresting to me. The rhythms are super standard and the horns weren't doing anything of my liking, so there isn't anything worth saving from this album for me. If I have to describe the record a little more, it is basically New Wave and Blue-Eyed Soul mixing mid and slow tempos, but I think in general the songs are very similar. This was an unbearable and annoying experience for me.

Pretty decent but a little unmemorable to me.

I had never heard anything outside of Come On Eileen and I have to say there's some good stuff here. I can see why they weren't just one hit wonder in the UK.

never heard of these dudes. I can't believe there are three of their records on the list.

Almost entirely unmemorable but also inoffensive.

Awful vocals

I guarantee that if I had found this album when I was 12/13 that it would have been one of my favourites. I loved 'Geno' back then, and I think Dexys are at their best with a lot of brass behind them. It didn't particularly wow me, but I still found this album really enjoyable.

Would appreciate this album more if those brass and tubas were replaced with other instruments , ah and vocals

before listening: i think "tell me when you're light turns green", which i love, is the only song off of here I'd heard before. hadn't ever listened to the rest as I kind of wrote these guys off as the "Come on Eileen" band (being on mainstream radio was a cred killer back then lol). Expecting a solid three star "uk new wave with horns" experience. after listening: several skips on here where the singers weird tortured delivery is the only notable thing, but I'd also forgotten about "Seven Days Too Long" another song I'd heard previously and quite like.

i liked this, had some great tracks, fun record overall

2 songs in and I am enjoying this DMR album far less than I did Too-Rye-Ay. A few more songs in and it seems the album cover is more interesting than the actual album itself. SFTYSR consistently has good soul instrumental arrangements, but just as consistently Rowland's vocal style makes them off-putting instead of inviting. The only track I enjoyed was the instrumental: "The Teams That Meet in Caffs". Do yourself a favor and skip this and go listen to Too-Rye-Ay instead. Personally I would not have this on the list. I would include something influential and a bit more universal, like say Devo FREEDOM OF CHOICE, Ozzy Osbourne BLIZZARD OF OZ, Rush PERMANENT WAVES, or Billy Joel GLASS HOUSES instead. I’m not convinced that this is a globally vital album in music history.

80s british as F*ck

The brass is quite fun. I find Kevin Rowland's vocals a bit much for this album.

Okay damn I was not ready for how good this was - this is why I'm doing this project!

There’s only 2 songs by Dexys that I knowingly know, and fortunately in Geno, one of them lives here. This was the highlight of the album for me but there was more to enjoy besides for a band that often gets pigeon holed as a one-hit wonder. I wouldn’t rule out returning here but hard to see when I would actually do so.

Was expecting a bunch of Eileen songs, but was surprised by the ska... I like ska.

I was a bit disappointed with Don't Stand Me Down but this album does not disappoint. There is a real energy and joy that comes through the music, the horns, bits of ska, northern soul, blues, and singalong chanting. It must have been an great live show. Whilst am very familiar with Geno I had not fully appreciated how much of a banger it is. I did not even mind the poetry interlude...

Searching for the Young Soul Rebels As much as I like Don’t Stand Me Down this is my favourite Dexy’s album, a brilliant example of their early combination of joyous Brummified soul music with an exuberant, intense punk spirit. Burn it Down (formerly Dance Stance) kicks off with radio static and snippets of Deep Purple, Sex Pistols and The Specials before hitting a great motown soul groove and Kevin Rowland's distinctive strained, impassioned wailing, listing numerous Irish playwrights, a nice reference to late 70s early 80s anit-Irish sentiments. Tell Me When the Light Turns Green carries on the Staxian/Motown/Northern Soul groove with a great horn line, as does the instrumental The Teams That Meet in Caffs, before the slow burning, jazzy Just Looking. Geno is of course an absolute corker, a superb horn riff and a brilliant, loping, swinging bass line. Seven Days is great, I always liked playing the original when I used to ‘dj’, but I love the slight workingman’s club feel of their version, it feels like you are hearing it in a pub somewhere in the late 70s. I Couldn’t Help It If I Tried, returns to the slowed down soul of Just Looking, with some excellent bass playing. Thankfully Living in Yorkshire It Doesn’t Apply is a great song title and another upbeat Northern Soul style track with a great ooh ooh chorus. Love Pt 1 is the kind of spoken word Kevin Rowland track that is a bit marmite, but I kind of like its oddness before the excellent There, There My Dear, another great horn driven track. Listening now has reminded me what a great album this is, it has a few rough edges, but there are some great tracks and it has a soulful punkish singularity to it, and a matching aesthetic that I love, so it's a five for me. 💊💊💊💊💊 Playlist submission: Geno

Post-punk vocal meets soulful brass to create a slice of genius. The brass is the driving force throughout, and is without exception excellent on every track. I love the rich sound of twin saxes (which I guess much of this is, with some other brass around it). 'The Teams That Meet in Caffs' one of the best in show for that doubled-up, melancholic sound. 'Tell Me When My Light Turns Green', gets a mention too, a superlative slice of soul-inflected pop. And obviously the pub singalong of 'Geno' goes without saying. 'Love, Pt 1' about the only one that didn't fare well - bad beat poetry set to lone sax with a mild Brummy accent. It's really not ideal. But who cares, a minor blip on a superb album.

It’s interesting to hear Dexys Midnight Runner’s first album. I didn’t realize they were so into crime and fashion. Maybe a bit too much brass band for me, but this is definitely a mark left from a time and a place that I was happy to stop by.

The music is cool and the lyrics are interesting but the singing is pretty mid.

Actually this album is quite a vibe and it sounds exactly like what you’d expect an english Pop rock, new wave-ish band to sound like

These guys really bring the horn. I like these guys more than I expected to but I did prefer another album of theirs on the list.

Loving the brass on the album. Overall I enjoyed this, but it didn't have a stand out feel for me. The lowest of the three we have listened to, but I might revisit to see if I can find something, someday.

This album is great. I was pleasantly surprised. I was completely unfamiliar with Dexi's Midnight Runners, with the exception of "Come On Eileen," which is a fine song but man, this album is just great. I'm debating; I'm between four and five stars on here. There's one song on here I didn't like, which might drop it to the four. It's at least a solid 4.4. Awesome album, loved it.

It’s an alright album. Lots of horns to be expected.

Including one album from Dexys Midnight Runners could've been written off as an error in judgement, to include two likely brings into question what the point of this list is.

This is the most punk thing I’ve ever heard. So bold, so exciting.

Gosto da banda com instrumentos de sopro. Me agradou.

It was alright, will return I think

The other Dexys album I heard on this list was much better, and not because of Eileen. This is middle of the road

Will prob never listen again but enjoyed

Enjoyed that

This was good craic. 3.5

This was way better than it had any right to be. I'd only heard Come On Eileen before this so I was expecting something similar, was pleasantly surprised by how good it was

Beginnings of ska? Less punk tho, more pop. Also just wierd.

This seems like a standard dexys album but some quality brass and prog moments elevate the experience

The last album we had (I can't believe there is more than one on here) from Dexys Midnight Runners was a candidate for worst album I've ever heard. Thankfully this is better, with the main point being that there is an instrumental song on here, "The Teams That Meet In Caffs", that is actually pretty good. As for songs with the abysmal singer, the better ones are all the ones that sound like modern-ish ska like the first track. Songs without that energy are universally terrible, mostly because of the singer's voice. It is not suited to anything that isn't a party track or at least an energetic one. Without the singer I might have been tempted to give this a 3, but I really can't deal with his voice for a whole album. It's like a shit David Byrne without any of the musical cleverness. Also that ridiculous "poem", c'mon man.

This has always been avoided as I just arc-up with Rowlands voice, and you couldn’t get away from it with Geno and Ilene. But I enjoyed this - particularly the slower tracks, which better expose the band over lyrics, although reading the lyrics I like the idea of staying the fight (against whom everyone leaving school into Thatchers UK in 1980 was perfectly aware) Not too much filler as they were an established live act by 1980, but it still puzzles me on its inclusion in 1001…. 1. 7 days too long 2. The teams that meet in caffs 3. There There my Dear

Big fan of this band. They had 3 albums, I like the other 2 better, but this one is pretty fun as well.

Love his voice, and their music is petty fun.

interesting

Not bad. The singer's voice reminds me of Robert Smith of The Cure.

Rating: 5.5/10

Solid plata og gott band!

Ágætis plata, fín lög. Leiðinlegt að Come on Eileen sé eina lagið sem nokkur þekkir með þeim.

Nice

Um album divertido e diverso, algumas faixas eu gostei, outras mto viajadas. 4/10 melhor: 7 days too long

New to me and wow, this is spectacular. I’m a sucker for brass instruments and they are put to wonderful use here. I’ve gotten a couple other albums from this band through the algorithm and I’m a little surprised they ended up with three on the list, but I’m glad to listen to all of them.

come on Eileen, how'd you get in this list

OK energetic music. The punk attitude is definition there. It is also somehow dated though

I love this record more than its influences; it’s off-kilter in the way any expression of individual inner life should be, and the band create their own sub-genre of undulating fast-slow soul. Rowland’s voice is the core. The trills on “There There My Dear” posses insolence and aggression: they’re working-class war cries.

Rrrrrrobin, I've obviously loved this triumph since Kevin's "23 years" seemed like a lot to me. The most soulful of the Dexys triptych, with Rowland putting in an amazing vocal effort to drive everything forward at a frantic pace, with an incredible horn section backing him up. Some of the songs remain as impassioned syllabic outpourings in my understanding (esp. "Thankfully..."), and I wouldn't have it any other way. To those who piss and moan that Dexys are "over-represented for a one-hit wonder" I can only offer the middle finger while highlighting "Geno" (their initial #1 hit) and observe that very few artists can produce three absolute delights that bring so much joy (and if they do, they're usually on here too). Also the source of the only Tea Time Theme Time I've set: connecting "Smoke On The Water", "Holidays In The Sun" and "Rat Race"; described as "one for the anoraks"..!

had a hard time remembering i was listening to music

Nice as background music.

This is our THIRD Dexy's record. No way they have 3 records in the top 1000. That being said I liked this one best

I think that a studio production is not ideal for this kind of band. I liked the Peel session and the early live concerts they did a lot more than this album.

Leuk album! Beetje gay af en toe haha

7/10

I dont hate it. But something is missing from these songs thats stopping me from adding them. I wouldn't be mad if I was walking through a store and heard them playing this on the intercom tho

The vocals ruined all of this for me...he cannot be serious. More soul music from white men with not a real ounce of soul. Had some groovy moments when he decided to spare us.

I had to refrain from correcting a coworker who called the band "Dexy & the Midnight Runners" after she overheard me talking about this album and how much it sounded like "Getting There, Eileen". Because I shouldn't even know the lore behind this band's name, either, listmaker.

really swinging for the fences on the exercise with a second dexys album. not sure it fits the bill for me. the thing about being that much of a one hit wonder is that if you hear the singer's voice you're sort of just waiting for come on eileen and it's not on this one, so.... most of it was fine, some of it was downright hideous

I accidentally looped it and still had a nice time, 3.5

Like it 3/5

kolejny powrotowy odsluch, bo orginalnie sluchane juz w sierpniu, wiec sora przerwa od listy i znowu zdziwienie czemu dysonans, jest to druga pozycja od dexysow na liscie, a ich studyjny debiut z 1980, wiec nic sie nie zmienilo w tym, ze jest to typowe brytyjskie soulowanie z nutkami bluesa w popowym wydaniu, ale nie jest az tak przytlaczajaco duza jak too rye ay, gdzie zarowno koncept liryczny jak i strona muzczna przytlaczala, a tutaj granie jest o wiele bardziej proste, wiec bialy czlowiek spoza ukejowego ogrordka takze jest w stanie zrozumiec ten misz masz punkowatosci i detosci instrumentalnej, bo to wlasnie saxy zrobily dla mnie brzmienie tego albumu jak na traku the teams that meet in the caffs, ale na kazdym traku sa jakies ich akcenty, nawet na najwiekszym hicie z tej plyty czyli geno, wiec ten albumik jakos bardziej mi siadl niz ich porzednia pozycja listowa, pewnie przyczynil sie do tego brak chorkowania, ktore bylo zmora na poprzednim albumie, albo naprawde czuje sie na tyle mlodziej zeby podchodzil mi niebieskooki soul dla smutynych romantykow

pretty nice

6.5/10

Morrissey com hiperfoco em trompete. Queria dar 3,5 estrelas

A cada play eu me sentia voltando do intervalo da novela da cor do pecado VOU DEIXAR

Great album, gostosinho de ouvir. Mas teve umas partes esquisitas como todo álbum

The Skanks

it was pretty good, definitely something different, but i liked it. i liked i couldn't help it if i tried the most 6/10

Depressive gothic ska? Sounds like a join project between Madness and The Cure. They are often out of tune, and the broken-pitch vocals are quite annoying, but the album is otherwise interesting and diverse. 7/10

How the hell do these guys have 3 albums on this list

it was cool but i dont see. myself revisiting ay all

I didn't expect to hear a brass section in an album like this. Very good and catchy instrumentals, but the vocals kinda put me off. Aside from the vocals, it was pretty fun.

rhooooooalalalalalaaller on s'en fou

trop bien j'aime la vibe respect

Des trucs que j’ai pas mal aimé surtout les cuivres, et d’autres que j’ai pas du tout aimé genre les voix susurrées. C’est donc un mid

Some tracks I really liked, some I did not know what to think of. Lot of horns, maybe too much. And to be frank, during this listening I enjoyed reading others reviews. Some of that are very enlightening.

het was wel ok

Surprised myself and ended up liking it. The horns did it for me.

i love this sound and this is an extremely fun record

cool sound, will relisten

Es ist ein leidenschaftliches Debüt voller Energie, Soul und Haltung. Dexys Midnight Runners liefern hier ein Statement – roh, aufrichtig und musikalisch eigenwillig. Besonders Tracks wie „Geno“ oder „There, There, My Dear“ zeigen, wie viel Kraft in Bläsern und Überzeugung stecken kann. Trotzdem: So sehr das Album auch beeindruckt, es erreicht für mich nicht ganz die emotionale Wucht und Eingängigkeit von „Come On Eileen“. Vielleicht liegt’s am Fehlen dieses einen magischen Moments, der alles überstrahlt. Stark, aber nicht überragend.

an ok album

I love his voice. My favorite was “I’m just looking” and “I couldn’t help it if I tried”

This is a band I basically only knew from one song, and not a song I particularly liked. I was therefore shocked at how good this was!

Enjoyed the instrumentation but not the vocals. Could not take this guy’s vocals.

interesting, I feel like this with many albums, but I'm glad this exists just to see what it would be like. I feel like there's the attitude of punk but with vastly different music. I do like the brass stuff, and its certainly very unique, I'm not sure how much I like his voice, it feels like he is overtrying and putting on a voice which isn't really his. But I guess that's the punk ethos. So no complaints really. I feel like some songs go nowhere though. Favourite songs: burn it down, the teams that meet in caffs, thankfully not living in Yorkshire it doesn't apply, keep it. Overall around 5/10

A little ballsy to put one-hit wonder artists on this list when the hit in question is absent from the album. (And let's be honest: you only knew these guys because of one song.) These songs do sound a bit like Come On Eileen, suggesting that the Midnight Runners aren't great at sonic diversity. This is made really obvious with certain later tracks on the album that sound similar to earlier tracks. I Couldn't Help It If I Tried is a near-direct ripoff of I'm Just Looking, with the same arrangement, tempo, and mood. (Though the arrangement tends to be the same for all tracks here.) There There My Dear kind of has the same problem, but it's catchy, so I'll give it a pass. Definitely punk influence in the singing and drumming, but the absolute dominance of horn sections throughout the album is a little surprising. And not in a bad way at all. At least not to begin with. Though by the third track, the instrumental The Teams That Meet in Caffs, you start to yearn for any texture that doesn't include a brass section. I'm Just Looking somewhat achieves this, but regresses back to the same old brassiness partway through. It's hilariously corny, and the band only kind of makes it work. They can at least apply the style to a slow, soulful, bluesy swing as well as the classic uptempo punk tune. But in the end, the main thing broad audiences are looking for is catchiness, and a lot of the tracks just aren't that catchy. Geno is, though. Not only is it infectiously upbeat after the mildly lethargic I'm Just Looking, but it sounds straight out of a late-60s pop album. Rhythmically experimental (peep those straight vs swung rhythms!) and catchy as heck. Seven Days Too Long is almost Bowiesque in terms of sheer glamour and conviction. I could easily see this track on Ziggy Stardust or Aladdin Sane. The song Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply is also a highlight on side 2 of the album. It's peppy, catchy (ooh ooh aah aah, something something, you get the picture), and has some sweet piano and cowbell contributions. The song Love, Pt. 1 (Poem), on the other hand, is stupid. 3/5 Key tracks: Tell Me When My Light Turns Green, Geno, Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply

Not for me. Three albums by this band seems like too many.

LOVED this. what a time. so british. yorkshire mentioned

Nog meer Dexy's? Echt? Ik dacht dat we dit level al uitgespeeld hadden. Op zich wel aardige energieke new wave, maar puntje aftrek voor die irritante stem van de zanger, en het feit dat twee albums van dit clubje (die allebei niet meer dan een magere 3 vingen!) al méér dan genoeg waren.

Ja joh? Drie albums? Omdat er wat toeters bijzitten? Goed de sound en zeker de zang is herkenbaar. En het is makkelijk te verteren. Maar de kwaliteit is over het algemeen te matig voor een vergeetbare 3. Op dit album staat welgeteld 1 fatsoenlijk minuut: het eind van The Team that meets in Caffs.

Ik weet niet of ze in het eerste nummer nu de draak steken met die samples van die oudere nummers of dat ze juist van zijn van die muziek. Ze gooien het zelf in ieder geval aardig over een andere boeg, met een compleet blik aan toeters. Die vaak aan de irritante kant van het spectrum zitten wat mij betreft. Qua muziek is het meer straightforward dan het 3e album (2e album dat wij kregen) en bevat het minder afschuwelijke of valse gedrochten (afgezien van I couldnt help it), maar het overmatige gebruik aan toeters bevalt me ook niet echt. Al is het beste nummer dan wel weer instrumentaal, the teams that meet in caffs. Misschien is het de combi van zijn aanstellerige zang en de toeters die dus het meeste ergernis wekken, dat zou zomaar kunnen. Ik heb me bij het vorige album al uitgelaten dat het idioot is dat een one hit wonder (nou vooruit, Geno is ook soort van bekend) al met 1 album in deze snoblijst staat, laat staan 3 f*cking albums, dus dat ga ik niet over doen. Maar ik laat het wel meewegen in de uiteindelijke score. En dat gaat dus een 2 worden, omdat een 1 wederom niet helemaal eerlijk zou zijn. Maar een 1 gaat wel naar de snob van dienst.

Could grow on me. Loses points for the highly annoying whispering bits. An interesting band.

So if I would have guessed I would never thought that this is the same band who would write Come on, Eileen. The music is good. Not sure if I like the lyrics. I really am not a fan of the singing and he really is overselling the singing I guess according to wiki like Bryan Ferry because a band member didn’t like his original singing voice. I’m not a fan of this. But it was good to listen to.

Buenísima mierda. Divertidísimo. En los 80 pasaron muchísimas cosas que no ubico demasiado. Entre el new wave, el soul, el ska. Un muy buen disco, saxofones on point y todo buenos temas, buenos bangers. Muy divertido. Al principio de un tema me susurran y eso me raya un poco, pero me pegué unas buenas bailotadas y me dio buenos ánimos para afrontar la mañana. No conocía, buena mierda.

To be honest it was exactly what I expected (not in a bad way)

Good 👍🏻

Not my thing.

Full disclosure, I expected to dislike this one (ugh, another English band, and not even the album with the one big hit from them) but I am a complete sucker for a horn section.

The music was okay but the voice made me feel anxious. 2.5/5

It’s ok. 2.5

Such a distinctive style and sound.

What the hell this ruled

I really enjoyed this and will be looking forward to their other albums on here.

3/5

Surprisingly good as always with these guys

Groupe connu seulement par le tube 'Come On Eileen'. C'est la première fois que j'écoute un album complet. L'apport des cuivres est intéressant, avec quelques chorus réussis, en particulier dans le morceau instrumental 'The Teams That Meet in Caffs'. Par contre le chant est plutôt dérangeant et dessert les autres morceaux. Dommage ! Pas de seconde écoute envisagée. =>2/5

Interesting sound, soul, punk, pop, rock Read up on them and they’re a proto cult band, I like a lot of cult music, it’s so eclectic, but usually fizzle out after a hit or a debut album.

rescued from a 2 by Geno

It’s not bad. With just about every track, I started off slightly annoyed, but gradually fell in line. Then the next song would start and the cycle continued. That’s largely been my attitude toward all the Dexys albums on the list. I will say - and I’m pretty sure I’m an outlier here - the saxophone kind of warmed me to them.

Before Dexys Midnight Runners would find their fleeting worldwide fame with the single "Come On Eileen", they were just a bunch of drug addicts in Birmingham taking the two-tone sound of the Specials and blending it into something that would later evolve into northern soul of bands like The Verve. It's a decent album, but the story about them stealing the master tapes (and nearly destroying them by accident) to get a better deal from the label is the most interesting thing about this release.

Pretty good.

Need to revisit to do justice… enjoyed I think.

Ey!! Ok Dexys! I had only ever heard Come On Eileen by this band. But I was pleasantly surprised by this album.

Liked the horns, not the vocals

This was fine. Not very memorable. 3/5

I really get what Kevin Roland is trying to do but I’m not convinced they really pull it off. The whole concept of channeling what we call northern soul in the UK is a good one and when it’s done well it’s incredibly exciting. It’s not that I mind the lo fi diy punk ethos per se; it’s just not the soul authenticity it pretends to be (those Stax backing musicians were known for being tight as a drum) but it has a charm if it’s own. The glaring problem is that Rowland’s vocal delivery is UNBELIEVABLY annoying, mannered and try-hard distinctive and it gets in the way of the songs. It was a common problem in the late 70s and early 80s but this is a particularly egregious example. I want to like this album but I just can’t get past the voice.

Another record where I don't get it. Northern soul - wtf. Where's the great tunes. Adding brass alone won't do it.

pretty annoying and wholly unnecessary when there are 2 better albums from them on the list (and any more than 1 is pretty unjustifiable to begin with!)

What a great album! A complete and joyous departure from the angst of late 70s punk rock. The entire band sounds like they are having fun, and I was immediately caught up. It is sad that ultimately they will be remembered for “Come on, Eileen.” Still, I am really glad to get this album to help shape and form my idea of the band. For the record, I do like “Come on, Eileen,” as a song. The lead singer’s voice is rock solid, and it captures some of the joy and playfulness found on this earlier and much better album.

Blegh

Good voice, great sound but none of the song are memorable

Wasn't feeling this. Fun but won't revisit

****A good easy listening album

Actually love a bit of Northern Soul and this feels somehow purer and more fun/alive than the super well known singles and work that came later.

This was ok. Quite jolly. Ran out of steam for me just over the half way mark, but had a nice 80’s feel to it. The other Dexy’s album on this list (Don’t Stand Me Down) was not as good as this. This was way more fun. Worth the price of entry for Gene alone, really.

3.5/5

I never knew this exact blend of genres existed. It’s like eating a Korean bbq kimchi and cheese mulita for the first time. With like an Armenian yogurt fizz to drink. Like oh wow this works! I’m not gonna eat it every day, but I’d probably stop at the food truck again if I drove past it.

3.5.

I'll listen

geno 1980 england Pop rock, new wave, blue-eyed soul, Celtic folk notable mention not in album: come on eileen

'I've been spat on and shat on / And made to eat soap / I've been working and shirking / For what, I don't know.' Tho they sound completely different, and one would be wont to compare Dexys Midnight Runners to The Clash, Elvis Costello, or The Specials, there's really one band that's comparable to this group, and that would be The Smiths. Kevin Rowland and Morrissey appreciated that anti-establishment music would have to be undergirded by an 'I,' even or especially if that 'I' couldn't help but lament bookishly. So, w/ this said, this is a band and a record theoretically right up my alley: the horns, the soul, the punk, the roaring, the poised and blaring right-side-of-history-adventure. But I think it's overestimated: any great, great song?

Interesting to listen to this album - a departure from their more popular songs, but found myself enjoying this much more!

Not bad. Enjoyed the horns. Seemed to be slightly ska inspired. Overall a decent listen. 3/5 Might listen again

I do love this album specifically how the last few tracks really hit strong.

It's a no for me, dawg

Heavy on the horns.... The most interesting thing about Dexys Midnight Runners is the name. A reference to England's Northern Soul scene, the all night dance clubs that bumped American Motown Soul music until 7 AM would host danceathon that incentivized its dancers to take dexedrine - or Dexys as they were called - in order to stay up dancing. Most of these dancers were younger guys who worked six days a week in heavy industry so this was their main outlet. Coming out of Birmingham, the DMR boys were in the scene, even having written some Northern Soul stuff. This isn't that, instead broaching more new-wave/ska stuff that was a lot more in vogue by the time 1979 rolled around. Most of it is straightforward ska stuff, as was trendy at the time. The best stuff is roundly the sweaty, amphetamine fueled stuff that you could concievably mix into a Northern Soul playlist. It's interesting in a historical curiosity way with the right context. But let's say, hypothetically, you only listen to 1001 albums in your life, this doesn't need to be one of then. Favorite Tracks: Geno, Seven Days Too Long, There There My Dear

A brief review today as one of my kids spent last night and today in the hospital, and thankfully all is ok. I only know Dexys from Come On Eileen, so I was confused to see this come up today. And boy what a surprise! This was a lot of fun to listen to. The horns were amazing and it was a cool mix of punk and blue eyed soul. Some of the vocals were a bit tough at times, but I felt the passion throughout. One of the biggest surprises so far.

I’ve never heard much from Dixie‘s midnight runners other than Come on Eileen. This was a pleasant surprise and really enjoyed it, especially to start scrolling on the dial and hear the Sex Pistols and the specials.

I'd say that this is a pretty fun album -- good vibes. Nothing that pushes it to a great album, but consistent songwriting throughout.

One of the finest albums ever made. The way this builds on the energy, passion and rebel spirit of punk but avoids all the cliches of that style, melding it with the danceability of Northern Soul, is joyful. These tunes are energising and make me feel that life can't be too bad if this is album exists in the world. Life-affirming and powerful. Which is how music should be.

Energy, enthusiasm, optimism. That's Dexy's - and never more so than on the Searching debut masterpiece. It's not just a record. It's setting a blueprint for what Kev believes music should achieve, and how to live your life. I honestly believe that Dexy's are equally as important as 2Tone in bringing together a diverse mix of musical styles. At the heart of Searching are fantastic tunes. The messages and call to arms are a bonus. For God's sake, burn it down, etc.

I didn't even realize until after that this was the Come On Eileen folks. This album's style is very different from that song in my opinion. Not better or worse just different. I really liked this album. Might actually like ska now. Go figure.

REALLY debated giving 4 stars, but I’m not really getting re-listen vibes from these guys. That being said… Had low expectations and was honestly surprised. I thought these guys were a pretty cut and dry one hit wonder. Turns out they’re less of an 80’s one off and kind of a cool ska meets Chicago meets the kinks type ensemble, while simultaneously being their own thing.

This made me wanna buy some checkered vans and have a skankin good time. Definitely influenced a lot of the orange county bands i grew up with

love the sound on this one - miss the 80s sound sometimes 4/5

If you hate the over played Come on Eileen, you might be surprised by this bands other music. I know I was. Crispy Bass. What’s not to like. Surprisingly fun album.

7/10 Liked this a lot better than I expected based on the previous Dexys album I listened to. The horns are great. The poem is way too pretentious for me. Highlights: Burn it Down There There My Dear Tell Me When My Lights Turn Green Im Just Looking

This is really different stuff, kind of whimsical at some points. The music and lyrics remind me of theatre kids in high school for some reason. It's not bad but the vocal seem kind of weird enough for me to not take it seriously. It's not bad, just not something that is for me.

Here's my review from previous album we had "Loved the horns and the backing vocals and sounds like a very fun live band. A couple songs I’ll come back to (Liars A to E) but generally didn’t grab me. Don’t love the crooning weirdo vocals." Feel the same now, but the horns are better on this one. Makes me want to go watch some live ska/reggae and maybe learn to play the trombone. This one is inching closer to a 4, but ultimately keeping it at 3 because instead of wanting to listen to this it's making we want to go listen to actual ska/reggae. Worth the listen though.

Another one from these guys. Really outwardly fun, soulful and peppy. Honestly, had fun listening to most of these, but I cant see myself routinely wanting to hear this. The gaspy/squeaking vocals lose me. Tell Me When My Light Turns Green was solid. 2.5 stars

Think I prefer Too Aye Ray but man these guys are fun. That said I don’t think they deserve two albums on this list. Was going to go 3, but there are at least 6 jamz on here. Got give it up for Dexy, and also not forget his Midnight Runners. Would be hilarious if there were like five more Dexys albums on here.

This was okay. I see why they are considered a one hit wonder. Because there are no hits on here.

First thing I noticed was the brass section, unexpected and very enjoyable. Overall I really like it

Some really good stuff, some really bad stuff.

combining the energies of punk music and northern soul into one package so raucous and delightful you almost think they're about to reinvent ska from first principles.

291125 10:33 3 / highlights: geno, seven days too long, there there my dear

Quite good! Greatly enjoyed the brass!

Fine, but not as enjoyable as the other Dexys I've listened to from this list. I do quite like the brass, though.

If there is a good thing about this album its the snippets of Purple’s Smoke On The Water before been drowned out by the dross of Dexy’s Midnight Runners. Music used by DJ’s to get a party going after the buffet and upon which I head for the bar. 1/5 28/11/25

Not my favorite sound. Fine in small doses but this is not an album that speaks to me

Hooooooorns

3.5/5 good songs n catchy writing but not memorable

Kõlab hästi

Like many in the US I'm sure, I only know Dexys Midnight Runners as more of a one-hit wonder. Sounds like they were more prominent in the UK, even before "Come on Eileen". The horn/brass is SUPER prominent on this debut album of theirs. Almost to a detriment, honestly. Everything comes off as soul, but sounds more like ska & new wave. Mix in the super Brit vocals from Kevin Rowland, and I guess you've got a unique sound. It's not something that really tickles my fancy that much, though.

I guess I was wrong about them being a one-hit wonder. they have an album on the 1001. definitely would have lost that bet. It was Ok. for the type of music, there were better early 80's groups with similar music, like Madness, Bad Manners, and The Specials. some songs stood out like "Geno" and "Burn it Down" but in its whole, I was a little bored with the album.

This was a super fun album to listen to! I never would anec guessed there was music that sounded like this in 1980! This was like Royal Noise Brigade meets Less Than Jake while sounding Irish. I loved the horns. I actually liked that every song sounded a bit similar, when I usually don't like that. His voice was very unique.

Liked Geno & 7 Days too Long.

DMR is no longer a one hit wonder band in my books. They had some chops. However, there’s nothing overly special about the band but they were a solid band.

Fun trumpets but nothing exceptional outside of I'm Just Looking (holy hell what a song that lne is though) and, to a lesser degree, I couldn't help it if I tried.

Was never a fan, but this is ok. Geno was and still is a great song though. Extra point for that alone :-)

Not a fan of dexys but Geno is great and there's a few other decent tracks as well.

Fun instrumentation.

Did you know that the come on Eileen band was a ska band, me neither.

Sounds like some could be good, but nothing that really caught me

Love this album - punchy, passionate, and a little bit punk, it's a real one-off. So good, you can almost forgive them for 'Come on Eileen'.

Messy at times but really interesting. A big band of Gaelic folk and punk.

ta bueno 2/5

Interesting album today, absolutely never heard of this band before in my life. I am neither super opposed nor attracted to this soul infusion with rock. It's quite fun, energetic, but feels a bit uninspired to me. Probably 3 stars all in all, we'll see.

Beyond Geno I'd not heard much of this album before – this was back in the days when you needed to but it on vinyl or rely on radio play remember. And I'd never had a reason to go back and find it until now. I do, however, have somewhere a copy of something by the Blue Ox Babes on vinyl – the group that spun out of this early Dexys lineup. I must dig that out as I thought it was an album, but Wiki tells me the LP was never released at the time... I enjoyed that sound, and I rather enjoyed this as well. Certainly different to the sound from Too-Rye-Ay. I lie that sound to, but I think I prefer this one and this is something I'll want to listen to again for sure. I suspect if I spent more time with this it would rise to a 5.

3 estrelas

Of all the midnight runners on this list, Dexy's is one of them. I enjoyed this album, but it loses a star for that one song that begins with a load of squelchy mouth-sound whispering, like ASMR employed as an emetic.

I don't mind most of what's happening here musically, but Rowland is very, *very* hard for me to tolerate. This might not bode well for their other two masterpieces that appear in this book. 2/5

★½

I feel so silly for loving these guys. It’s goofy, cheesy, and undeniably fun. They quirky vocals and the 80s horns limit its spinability for an everyday affair, but I’ll be cleaning the house to this one for sure.

Hormis 2/3 titres écoutables, globalement je n'aime pas trop

Three albums on this list. These guys have one über hit, but three bloody albums on this list. And...the one with the hit is decent enough, actually. There is absolutely zero reason to include more than one album of theirs here. Take your pick... This one or the über hit one. Doesn't matter much. They're both more than half decent. One of those two is absolutely enough, though.

Likte det, veldig sånn the zombies vibes. Beste sang: Thankfully not living in yorkshire it doesn't apply

- For a band so chock full of horns and said to be some sort of blue-eyed soul band, they had absolutely no idea of what it is to "swing". In fact, I was shocked at just how much the music just plodded along, the rhythm section just hit. ting. on. ev. er. y. beat. ....... and then we get to the singing ... which somehow reminded me of that British thing that Morrissey does that just annoys the piss out of me ... this just did not hold up. -

Das Debut der Dexys. Eine poppig wilde Mischung. Geno ist als Single bekannt. Ok zu hören, aber einmal reicht mir dann auch. 3/5

Did a couple of listens but no stand outs really, but fine.

Not Eileen / 10

Punk. New Wave. Punk. New Wave. Punk. Oh, wouldja look at that. My prediction wheel has landed on punk, thereby making the difficult decisions for me. I've never heard of Dexys Midnight Runners before, but this is a pretty neat album cover. I'm hoping I'm in for something good. New Wave. I can never get one of these predictions right. Anyways, this is pretty alright. I think I'm slowly being desensitised to the stranger machinations of the 80s, which is horrifying to think about. I wasn't expecting there to be a prominent ska influence on this album, though it pairs quite nicely with the New Wave vocal style. I also picked up a bit of a dub influence at some points, which is interesting. Despite having so many clashing influences, the finished product comes together quite nicely and is satisfying in how cohesive and well-paced it is. "Burn It Down" is a solid opener. Those saxes are quite good, and I like the warm quality that they adopt during the non-vocal parts. "Tell Me When the Light Turns Green" is a solid follow-up. The vocal melody is pretty great, especially during the latter half of the song. The instrumental track which followed was also pretty decent, though nothing else really hooked me. Still, there were some alright bits. There was a bit of a surf rock sound on one of the songs if I'm recalling correctly and another had a pretty pronounced soul influence. Again, I can't fault this album's admirable show of variety. Book time. Geno was a successful single. That's about it. Wikipedia says that this album has a strong critic backing, though that's also just about it. I liked this album, so I'm willing to bat for it's immortalisation here. I cosign this inclusion.

Another band that deserved one entry at most. Dull sounding production and not really notable.

Like being in a gang with your mates who all, inexplicably, have brass instruments

Great album! Hadn't heard the whole thing, just the hits, but it was a great listen front to back!!

Did not find this too interesting.

Not as fun and unique as their follow-up, but still a pretty good batch of songs. Mr. Dimery must really really like Dexys. All three albums from the band's original run made the list? Key tracks: Tell My When My Light Turns Green Geno

The wailing, gulping style of singing annoys me. I recognise Gino, but I would say this album is not as good as Too Rye Ay, also on this list.

Started out being more mediocre British rock. But then Geno came out and it just pumped me up. The whole album started to pick up after that, and was pretty enjoyable the rest of the way through. Best song: Geno

Not a bad album at all. I always forget this is the “come on Irene” band.

I had never heard anything by these guys except for "Come On Eileen" and this album really surprised me. There is a lot of infectious energy, a great horn section, and a raucous sensibility that really engages the listener. There isnt really a dud on it. They also bring some ska into it and remind me a little of the band Madness at times.

Gotta admit I came i to this one a snob, thinking there must be a reason that the world only knows Come On Eileen. But then that brass kicked in, whoa. Did not expect this to basically be a rocksteady/ska record, and most of it sounded pretty great. Definitely want to listen again

I am always a big fan of horn sections in music, and this album has plenty of that, so that is a big plus. The first half of the album is great, however it slips a bit in the second half, as the horns take more of a back seat as well. Really the first 4 songs are the highlights for me. 4/5

Is this guy actually for real with these vocals? Surely this is a prank.

Very enjoyable - The Cure Light with horns. But that’s not a bad comparison at all.

Such a great lp! And it’s their debut. This album does for Northern Soul what the first Specials record did for Ska. Lyrically it is intelligent with street culture and literature combining in a dazzling hotpotch. There isn’t really another lp quite like it because Dexys went into their Come on Eileen phase after this.

Thought this might be a bit better

I enjoyed this more than I thought I was going to. They should be known for more than come on Eileen.

Too ska for me, but a few good songs.

I've never listened to this album and I was excited, thinking this might end up a hidden gem. Alas, in the end I can't get past Kevin Rowland's weak vocals - I like plenty of music with folks who don't technically sing well, but I couldn't even get with Rowland's poor phrasing and the character of his voice just grated on me. There's tremendous musical potential here, and I like a number of the songs - particularly Keep It and There There My Dear. And I can see how the album would make more of an impact in its time. But in the end the vocals really did me in.

Mostly enjoyed this. Geno being a standout

A melting pot of different styles and influences but all in all an enjoyable listen.

I don’t expect I am alone in hating Come On Eileen and thus have never had a desire to listen to any of their other stuff. This album has a certain charm, and more rawness than I was expecting. The upbeat ska influenced songs show a lot of promise whilst the slower ones are mainly dull. All of them are made worse by the over use of the saxophone!

Definitely better than I was expecting, and has a decent consistent vibe across the album. However, I’m not mad keen on his consistently odd vocal delivery, and there’s only so much brass I can personally stand. Low 3.

3.0 New Wave meets Ska. I like the music, the horns are not annoying, Rowland's voice is. Just not into this singing style but didn't hate it as much as I thought I would, kinda Rocky Horror Picture Show