Reviews (page 4 of 8)
este es como si too rye ay no tuviese come on eileen: es divertido, pero un estilo algo particular asi que no me termina de atraer 6,5/10
It's my first Dexy's album. Having lived in the UK for over 40 years...I have always understood this lot to be a one hit wonder. Does a one hit wonder deserve an album on this list? Do they have more to offer? Read on to find out... No. They offer quirks and trumpets. They're close to Madness, but not as annoying. Whoever decided that bouncy trumpets belong in pop music is one of humanity's greatest monsters. There's also a.lot of high pitched yelping. Yet the songs aren't too bad. It's fine for background music, but there's nothing I'll remember about this - it doesn't even have Eileen on it.
Ah yes, the first of the much debated Too Many Dexys. I think it's probably easy to not understand the context of this album, as largely non-Brits listening to an album that does not contain the huge international hit single. The vocals are distinctive but maybe less suited to white boy soul than the sort of highland jamboree vibe of Come On Eileen. But this did have a #1 single in the UK with Geno. I find this interesting because it is confusing: Geno is a perfectly fine song, but a #1 hit it is not, to my mind. But also I have never been British and was still a few years from my own debut in 1980. So again, the context of this album was probably very different for its immediate audience. With the title, and the intro to the first track, it feels like there may be an undercurrent of both rebirthing and reforming a classic sound from a post-punk mindset. So yeah, it hits me largely with general transitional sound vibes, nothing too mindbending, but some fun tracks. Seven Days Too Long is a genuinely fun little romp, and the back half is also weirdly stronger than the A side, to me, which is interesting since so many albums run out of steam instead of picking it up. At it's best there are light hints of Bowie and Queen here, though admittedly minor bits. The first song to hit me was The Teams that Meet in Caffs, so that'll probably be the one I add to my year's record of listening, but generally i'd say this is a fun but ultimately inessential 3* with possible growth potential.
Enjoyed this one. Vocals were interesting, good use of different feels, and groovy music. Fave song: Seven days Too Long
This gets a generous 3 despite hating the lead singer's vibrato and constant voice breaks.
To be honest, this is so much better than I expected! I love “Come On Eileen,” but I never really connected to the rest of that album. Here, there’s often the whole package: musicality and good (ok, quirky) vocals. 3.5?
Well it sounds like 2 for the price of one here. First half of the album was utter rubbish, lifeless crap. Then on came Geno, and the whole album changed. It suddenly found some oomph, and came alive. Even so it wasn't brilliant, but it was listenable to. Never been a particular fan of his voice, but there you go. Still feeling generous so ill give it an average 3.
I only really knew this band for the song "Come On Eileen". This album is the same kind of style but does not have that one song on it.
The horns brought this from a 2 star to a 3 star album. The poem second to last song was not needed imo
The 'classic 80s voice' on steroids, the vocals on this are really annoying. It's a shame, because the songs themselves aren't bad at all, and I quite like the brassy sound on top of what are essentially pop songs.
IT's okay. Not come on Eillen though
I appreciate that it's different sounding from a lot of other "pop". It's decent. But not great.
nie powiedzialabym ze to jakis peak ladna okladka
Quite fun. Vocals could be better
A rather interesting album, I'm not quite sure how to describe it but it definitely has some pretty good songs like the opener
this was fun. like the brass sounds they really brought the energy
Para nada mi estilo
Aghast that Come on Eileen isn't on here... but still, it was a lot of fun!
Never heard of Dexys Midnight Runners before, and not entirely convinced they deserve to have 3 albums on this list after listening to this album, but I’ll reserve judgement until after I listen to the other 2. This was the first of 3 I’ve rolled so far, and it was fine. Took a few listens to appreciate it, and I almost gave up after the first go around, but as most albums have, it kind of grew on me. Started as a 1 and evolved into a 3 the more I really paid attention to it. It's a low 3, but it's better than some other stuff I've rolled. I've been getting nothing but 4's and 5's lately, so hearing this after such a hot streak was also just very unfortunate. I still really don't like his voice, and believe I could sing better, but god damn it, it actually grew on me. This is a 1 hit wonder band with 3 albums on the list, once again proving that the authors have no idea what they're doing a lot of the time. This also isn't even the album with the hit on it. I was so excited when "Smoke on the Water" starts playing on the intro, I thought I was really going to be in for something special with this one. Unfortunately, it's just very average. Way too much emphasis on the horns, not good for concentrating or vibing. Don't know the origin of the band name and don't really care to. Maybe I'll look it up when I roll the other 2 albums to pad my review a bit for those. I almost want to say that my favorite song on the album is where he isn't singing, but I actually really enjoyed "Tell Me When My Light Turns Green" even with the incessant horns and singing. He hits the high note pretty satisfactorily, making the song catchy and pretty good overall. Not great, but good enough to be considered my favorite. Like I previously mentioned, this album really grew on me. Going to give it a 3, and somehow, I also think I'm going to remember it after this. So, yeah. I know I was pretty harsh talking about it this entire time, and believe me, it's got a lot of faults, but I think I actually gaslit myself into liking it, as I've done with many albums in this project before. So, I'm going to say it's a 3.3/5 and see how their other albums pan out. At the bare minimum I can say that for a debut album, it has a lot of potential. Interested to see where that potential went, and how it culminated into their biggest hit, "Come On Eileen." I guess I'll find out soon enough. Until then, I ended up enjoying this album more than I initially thought I would after the first couple of times through, so it's an alright start for the Dexys Midnight Runners. I don't think I would actively return to it, but it was alright. I'd listen to this if it was playing somewhere naturally, and that's good enough in my book for a 3 star.
I liked the part with the horns.
They have OTHER albums?!?
Like the style, but too long. Sometimes I thought I was hearing the same sound. (Spoiler it can happens between the cd1 & 2)
Has held up.
Quelques accents presque rock reggae genre The Clash que j’ai bien aimés, sinon bon
It was a fun listen.
Uhm. Who knew? I've never heard the full album with Come on Eileen (this isn't it, FYI), but if it's like this, I would consider a fourth star. That said, no one needs more than one Dexys album on this list. Bluesey, funky pop rock. I dig the horns. But I have to again say: double albums are presumptively bad. Every artist can find ways to cut. Influence 3. Hits 2. Quality 4. Intangibles 2. Not bad, lads 3.
#895. This is the second day in a row of an album exceeding expectations (which is kind of amazing if you think about it, because this list is kind of trash if we're being honest.) One of the other two albums I listened to from this band was extremely weak, and the other was actively terrible, so when this one was almost good, I was pleasantly surprised. I mean, this isn't my favorite album by any means, but it is tolerable. And that's... something. 3/5: fine
Some really nice tunes but singer's voice is a bit too novelty/jarring for a full album.
I have listened to this before. Geno does do a lot of heavy lifting here. The rest of the album is ok as long as you can get passed the vocal style. Music, instruments and tone of the album is good….
I didn't become familiar with Dexys Midnight Runners until their music video for "Come On Eileen" started playing nonstop on MTV, which was off their second album. So, this album was completely new to me. Similar sound to what I expected. A little bit of ska mixed with a touch of punk and pop. I was a little surprised to see this one pop up, but I'm glad it did. It was a fun album to listen to.
3,0 Highlights: Geno, Seven Days Too Long
I always considered this band one of those one hit wonders. Now that is always kind of unfair as most one hit wonders are not quite that limited, and some bands that are rather good just happen to have a super hit, so it limits their whole catalog by overshadowing it. I find this kind of unfair but it is a thing, and that is how it goes. In the meantime I listened to this whole album and while it is innovative and somewhat interesting, it is ... kinda just.. I didn't love it I guess. It is all right but it never broke past a mild listen for me. I suppose a fan would disagree but such is life.
I love brass and this has a lot of it but it just feels like they’ve replaced the guitar with brass and called it a day. Woulda loved for them to push the envelope a bit more
The brass sound elevates this album up from the mediocre ska base that this album is based on. While some tracks are enjoyable, the overall experience is just fine.
We got the third Dexys album a while ago and it was some really solid 80s art pop stuff. This one goes for more of a blue-eyed soul sound, and while I did enjoy the stuff they were doing with horns and saxophones in some songs, the singer's voice did significantly less for me on this one than on their third. I'm sorry, I don't think a whiny British man has any business trying to sing soul.
It's hard to get over this man's goofy singing, but the band's punchy instrumentals and good use of 🎷 sax 🎷 soothes many of the complaints I might have about the album. Fun listen for what it is! Standouts: Tell Me When My Light Turns Green • The Teams That Meet in Caffs • Seven Days Too Long • I Couldn't Help It If I Tried • Keep It
This is fine. Guess we had to have this instead of Avalon.
Almost ska
At this point in the generator project, this is the third Dexy’s Midnight Runners album I have been served up. So I can confidently say, I don’t love them. I also don’t hate them, the ska influence on this one was cool but yet again I can only deal with those vocals for so long. 3 stars
Nice soulful brass was a great surprise Especially “The teams that meet in caffs”
This was alright
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.
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).
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
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.
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.
On balance I liked Too Rye Ay and Come On Eileen better than Searching For The Young Soul Rebels and Geno. 3.5
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
Too many horns for my liking.
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.
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.
At first I liked it. But then it started to piss me off.
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
Perfectly pleasant, but forgettable
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
80s british as F*ck
The brass is quite fun. I find Kevin Rowland's vocals a bit much for this album.
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.
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.
It’s an alright album. Lots of horns to be expected.
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 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
This seems like a standard dexys album but some quality brass and prog moments elevate the experience
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
Like it 3/5
pretty nice
6.5/10
Morrissey com hiperfoco em trompete. Queria dar 3,5 estrelas
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.
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.
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
Could grow on me. Loses points for the highly annoying whispering bits. An interesting band.
To be honest it was exactly what I expected (not in a bad way)
It’s ok. 2.5
Such a distinctive style and sound.
I really enjoyed this and will be looking forward to their other albums on here.
3/5
Surprisingly good as always with these guys
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
Another record where I don't get it. Northern soul - wtf. Where's the great tunes. Adding brass alone won't do it.
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.
Good voice, great sound but none of the song are memorable
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'd say that this is a pretty fun album -- good vibes. Nothing that pushes it to a great album, but consistent songwriting throughout.
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
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
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
This was okay. I see why they are considered a one hit wonder. Because there are no hits on here.
Some really good stuff, some really bad stuff.
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.
3.5/5 good songs n catchy writing but not memorable
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.
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.
Messy at times but really interesting. A big band of Gaelic folk and punk.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
Very enjoyable - The Cure Light with horns. But that’s not a bad comparison at all.
Thought this might be a bit better
Too ska for me, but a few good songs.
Mostly enjoyed this. Geno being a standout
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
This band has way too many albums on this list. But this one is by far the best. Didn’t know they started out more in the punk / ska / soul genre. Should have stayed there.
Listening to this album after learning my computer is drowned and gone. This will be interesting. I don't hate it.
Fun record! Maybe a little one note but it’s a good note. I appreciate it more knowing they did completely different stuff on other records.
Great
6/10…new wave / 80er indie
Knowing them only from "Come on Eileen", I was unfamiliar with the rest of the catalog. I liked it more than I expected, but the singer's whining voice kinda gets old.
Fun.
Typical early 80s vocal style meets mediocre songwritghting meets questionably arranged brass section with bad intonation. It's listenable, but listeners who expect the likes of Come On Eileen will be disappointed. As was I. 2.5/5
Interesting intro. I have no idea what's being sung but I definitely feel this is an album I can cook or work to. its good but I'm not sure I would buy physical
A decent debut album, offering hints of what was to come for the band in a couple of years. Did I have to hear it before I die? I don't think so, but it didn't actively assault my ears, like some of the albums selected for this list.
Ska vibes? Soul vibes? Interesting mix. Singer could be better. Easy listening, but a filler album for sure.
Varied and different enough that I could have it on in the background. I want to like it but it's just not enough
Not my thing personally
3,5
Better than the other one I got ig
Some jams, nothing special
Not bad album, glad I heard it. Almost like a sound of the poppier side of The Clash meets jazz/big band style. I don't know if I'll be going back to it a ton but an entertaining listen.
10/7/25. Did not expect this type of sound from what I know of the band, but that's due to my limited knowledge. Lots of soulful horns over a late 70s/early 80s punk like sound with the expressive vocals is a unique mix to my ear.
Yeah I liked this, I like his sort of whinny vocals.
Like a bit of Dexys
If i grew up in Ireland, I’m sure I would have been a big Dexy’s fan. The band is tight, and the tunes pop, but the singing is kind of whiny and strained. A 3.
This was a decent album, I have never listened to really any thing other than come on Eileen so it was cool to hear something else!
Cool!
01) Burn It Down - 6,5 02) Tell Me When My Light Turns Green - 6,0 03) The Teams That Meet in Caffs - 5,5 04) I'm Just Looking - 6,0 05) Geno - 8,0 06) Seven Days Too Long - 5,5 07) I Couldn't Help If I Tried - 6,0 08) Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply - 7,0 09) Keep It - 6,0 10) Love Part One - 5,0 11) There, There, My Dear - 6,5 TOTAL: 6,18 (62/100) Current ranking: 515/688
TIL these guys are more of a ska band. i never thought of Come On Eileen as a ska song (although every ska band has covered it), but i also don’t remember horns. now it all kinda makes sense.
This album is fine. Nothing too special in my opinion, but some good tunes. I like the instrumental tracks. The vocals aren't amazing, but it's fine.
The soul elements are just not good and very skippable, but the rest of the album is actually pretty good and definitely better than the other Dexys album on this list. 3.0/5.0: Good
2,8/5
and thus concludes my review of all three Dexy's albums on the list. Of all of them this is the weakest. A few good songs, the rest was pretty mediocre. Why all three of their albums are on this list? I think the author must have been a massive fan. I could understand one being added. but all three?? 3 stars
3.4
Interesting mix of 80s punk vibes, soul and horns but the vocals were too much at points.
Great sound. Fun listen.
Upbeat, could be a good listen in the right environment.
76% Best: The Teams That Meet in Caffs; Geno; Seven Days Too Long Must-Hear? Not quite
Enjoyed this a lot more than the other Dexys album
Как-то не очень прикольно. Звучит как веселая группа Cure с духовыми инструментами. Какая-то позитивная музыка, и, не смотря на на название, совершенно не протестная. Опять какой-то средненький альбом, особо ничего интересного из себя не представляющий.
I've never listened to this album (15). It was okay, a few nice ideas here and there. Nice grooves.
на любителя.
I'll admit his voice is a bit annoying but the music is pretty catchy at times. I would categorise them as a One hit Wonder and the album featuring Come on Eileen has already appeared on this list so... Are deep cuts really must hears? Well the list features half of Elvis Costello's Discography for no good reason so i guess why not
Dexys does not belong on this list three times. Heavy on the horns, at least this one is a little different.
For a one hit wonder, this is the third album of theirs I've heard on this list. Mid
Saxophones Sounding Quite Like A New Chance
While the lyrics are interesting (the ones I can understand, anyway) and the actual music is good, I can’t get past how grating and whiny the vocals are. The horns were an interesting touch and it was fun to listen to (for the most part), but I doubt I’ll listen much again.
ніколи не чула про цей гурт, але мені подобається. така.. вимучена музика юності.
Decent though a little smarmy at times. At its very best it reminded me of the Violent Femmes a little bit. But ultimately I don’t see why I’d listen to this over Too-Rye-Ay
#108/1001. This list has surprisingle little (so far) of rhe 80's. For me it was an inventive era, punk movement maybe died or turned in to hardcore, but it opened up the doors to so many kinds of styles, experimentations, new and old sounds, non-western influences, funk, soull, ska, folk... Era of massive proge and rock giants was over (and era of massive pop giants begun). Dexy's is known from a few songs, but other than that I assume most of their production os unknown for many not living in the U.K at that time. And perhaps to many who were there as well, there were so many things going on. After all, It is a decent album, but for me there is nothing in the whole which makes this a masterpiece. One nice Polaroid of the 80s.
I like this, this was ok.
I liked the instrumental track The Teams that meet in Caffs. I like all the horns in the tracks, good fun.
fun and good
not my style.
Unexpectedly good proto-ska. Nice horns and upbeat tunesmithing.
Classic UK pop rock.
Quite fun, enjoyed the horns
Not my thing
Some sophisticated stuff
Great music, but not exactly my cup of tea.
Yawn
Thank God this was before they realised they could make 12 minute songs.
A nice blend of ska, pop, bits of punk and more. Instantly recognisable lead vocals (that I'm not that fond of). Not my favourite album, but fits its era very well.
2.7 2x
Really interesting, love the big band. Would have been awesome to see live. Don't think I'll reach for this one again.
fine for background music but won’t seek it out actively
They're males under the age of 30 years old.
Kinda silly, definitely not boring. Would listen again. 3.5
Burn it down: the intro is a bit too long and doesn't add much to the song itself. I like how the trumpets resemble like a national hymn. The singer's voice is too whiny and you can't really understand what he's saying. Four minutes are too many for this song, it doesn't have anything special 6/10 Tell me when My light turns green: i still like the fun sound of the trumpets. The lyrics are unintellegible. More fun than the previous one. 7/10 The teams that meet if caffs: I like how there is no sung part, the instrumental is fun and almost sentimental. 7/10 I'm just looking: I liked the whispered intro with the soothing melody in the background, it feels like someone is actually spying on someone. I like the groovy vibe and the bass. The melody is snappy and jazzy and I like that. 8.5/10 Geno: The intro hyped me but then it slowed down and I was a bit let down. Didn't tell me anything. 7/10 Seven days too long: It reminds me a little of Billy Joel. 7/10 I couldn't help it if i tried: 6/10 Thankfully not living in Yorkshire it doesn't apply: 8.5/10 Keep it: 8/10 There there my dear: 7/10 Average: 7/10 (or 3.5/5)
Nice tight sound and production, fun album, the horn section is great, vocals a little off putting for me but otherwise not bad
It's OK. Kinda ska but not exactly?
3/5. I'm glad there was not a single word I understood from the vocals and that this was purely an instrumental album. It felt akin to Irish ska punk and although those are great genre titles, it seems there was missing a little of the punk as I could not understand what they were upset about. Now there is something to be said about doing this on purpose, which is pretty punk, but it doesn't seem to land as it should, from what I heard. The instrumentation was great, don't get me wrong, I just wish there was a little more oomph to the vocals. I think this was a good listen, but it could have been a lot better. Best Song: The Team That Meet In Caffs, Burn It Down, I'm Just Looking, There There My Dear
burn it down- 4 or 5 tell me when my light turns green- 5 the teams that meet in caffs- 5 im just looking- stop whispering right now. 4 geno- 5 seven days too long- thats what this album feels like. 4 or 5 i couldnt help it if i tried- 4 thankfully not living in yorkshire doesnt apply- 5 keep it- 4 or 5 love pt 1- 4 there there my dear- 5
Recently tried some of this--not too much toward my liking. Hard to get around the voicing. Punk is trying to find a way forward, holding hands with Geno. A good effort, bombast and braggadocio abound. This album gets much better as it progresses, as if they were learning too.
I was quite torn on this one because I was never particularly a Dexy’s fan. I did prefer this early music but everything was ruined for me after Come on Eileen. I did love Geno on here. And I was surprisingly buoyed along by the rest. But I don’t think it hit me hard enough to want to listen again.
I posted this earlier, but somehow my review never got saved. That's my story, at least. So... channeling my reaction... Basically, I thought this was much stronger than the first album we spun by Dexy's Midnight Runners, but I still cannot understand how all three of the band's records made this list. This started out questionably, and then there was some interesting and even enjoyable stuff there in the middle. But Kevin Rowland's (yes, I had to look that up (again)) vocals are singular and idiosyncratic, which is to say it's hard to be indifferent. On some of the tracks I was enjoying, it wasn't an issue, but it was impossible to get through the entire record without slipping into discontent, based on the singing alone. Didn't love it, but I was rather harsh with my first review, and I've softened a bit with this one.
Listens: 3 Standout Tracks: The Teams That Meet in Caffs, I'm Just Looking, Geno Is "English Blues" a genre? That's how I'd label this, or at least some of the tracks. Most of the time, I can't make out what the hell the singer is saying. I quite like a few of the middle tracks; tracks 3, 4 and 5 are all pleasant. The instrumental track in particular I really enjoyed. Not much else to say. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Solid 3 material for me.
Como primer album recomendado de los 1001, me hace dar cuenta que no se un carajo de musica. Hay tanta profundidad y referencias que me hubiese pasado por encima si no leia el art. de Wikipedia, y hay millones que se me habran pasado y no entendere ahora misma o nunca. Se inspiraron del Northern Soul de Inglaterra que asimismo se inspiro en el Soul Negro de Estados Unidos. Mucha historia. Buen lore el del album, se robaron los tapes!! No hay ni un tema que me enamoro honestamente, Geno fue mid para ser el mas escuchado, pero fue una buena escuchada el album en general. Tema favorito: Thankfully not living in Yorkshire It doesnt apply por ser el mas rapido y ritmico.
Dexys Midnight Runners- Searching for the Young Soul Rebels I know Come on Eileen. You know Come on Eileen. That’s all I’m going into this with. Burn It Down Tell Me When My Light Turns Green The Teams that meet in Caffs- nice to have a saxophone driving a pop rock album I’m Just Looking- seems ballad-ish, about a lost love- more emotion than I expected Geno- was their horn section really this powerful? Seven Days Too Long- I don’t know what year this came out, but where are they in the annals of ska I Couldn’t Help It if I Tried- Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire It Doesn’t Apply- Keep It Love, Pt 1 (Poem) There There My Dear Overall, a surprisingly enjoyable album. They are definitely working that proto-ska thing with all the horns. I had trouble with some of the lyrics. At some point, I will go back and listen to this. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Enjoyed it mostly as background music though.
One I've not listened to before. Just thought of them as one hit wonders with "Come on Eileen" and kind of dismissed them. You either love or hate horns on punk albums, and I love it! I'd bet this was a real fun live show, especially if you were drunk; clearly the band is having a good time doing it. Lost points for the vocals, Kevin Rowland sounds like he’s having a stroke… 3⭐️
Meh
I quite like it overall. Love a ska brass section. The vocal performance is just... a lot. Why did this particular style of punk vocal have such a chokehold on the British music scene for so long? It's genuinely unpleasant to listen to.
Instead of complaining about this band having 3 albums in here (it is objectively ridiculous that they do), I'll just stand on the take that this band could have been really good if Rowland wasn't so irritating with his vocals and lyrics. The amount of times I thought "Oh, shut the fuck up" to just him in particular during these songs was staggering. The horn-based punk derivatives worked fantastically for me otherwise!
It’s okay. New to me but I like that it’s upbeat.
Fun energy and the horns give it character but I didn’t find a lot here that I want to go back to. I had a hard time understanding the lyrics so if there was a lot of depth here it went right over my head
Det var sjovere end jeg havde forventet
Geno goes. The rest of this Ska stuff ain't for me, but I respect that this band is better than just one hit.
I was not expecting the ska influence or horns on Dexys Midnight Runners' debut. I did enjoy the vocals, but the songwriting left a lot to be desired. Kind of middle-of-the-road, soul influenced ska with no desire to push envelopes, though, there are a handful of memorable songs here. Highlights: "Geno", "Seven Days Too Long", "There There My Dear"
Logically, I know that they must have made albums, but because of that one ubiquitous and unavoidable single, I had never thought to check out their other stuff. Surprisingly good as it turns out
My favorite parts of this album were the instrumental and the poem. Decent album though actually.
Quite fun while youre listening to it, but afterwards nothing really sticks out too much. A generally forgettable album for me, although I did enjoy myself
I've never listened to their music, other than that one song that everyone loves. But thankfully, I'm a big fan of The Cure, so I'm loving this. Tell Me When The Light Turns Green is a cute, groovy tune. At times this album sounded very juvenile, especially on tracks like Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire. Overall, a fun, party album that is a good time.
Dexys har visst fler låtar än "Come on Eileen". Men inga lika bra.
Not bad but I found some of the songs sounded too similar…not enough variety.
It ain't so much New Wave, it ain't so much Ska, it ain't so much of much really.
A couple of really great songs, I wasn't expecting so much blues but was pleasantly surprised it carried so much emotion. I got over the singer's wailing enough to chew through it.
The simplest way to describe this album is fun. Fun music, fun lyrics. And if you like horns you’ll love listening to this one.
I only ever really new DMR for "Come on Eileen" - which I always thought was fun, but nothing special. This album surprised me a bit. The whole thing is pretty good. All the same fun vibes as "Eileen" - but also made me appreciate them a little bit more than I had.
To be fair, I’m not high on ska nor UK music in general but this really isn’t very good.
Some albums manage to sound fresh decades after their initial release. This is not one of them. It's extremely evocative of a specific time and a place, and that can be a great thing if you were there. I was not. It just kind of washed over me I'm afraid. Not awful but I doubt I will ever get around to listening again.
Try all you want; put on a donkey jacket and flat cap, add all the brass and play all the stuff you heard from two-tone. Even put on a dress and hire backing dancers. But if the first thing people think of when they hear your name is white British people dancing in a municipal hall in the eighties and nineties, that’s who you are. Alternatively: Track 1 on a musical accompaniment to a Martin Parr exhibition.
Interessante pos punk/new wave. English com metais. Tem três discos dessa banda na lista. Esse é o primeiro. Interessante. Legal!
The music on this is right up my alley. Loved the sound, including the horns and everything else. The vocals often just sound sort of stupid, though. I wish he sang with a bit less affectation. If the vocals were a bit more straightforward I would have loved this.
Coole bläser
I honestly didn't know they had other songs aside from Come On Eileen, and this album doesn't have that song at all! They had enough songs for at least TWO whole albums? Wow. Anyway, it was fine.
Personal enjoyment: 2/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5
This album is worth it for Seven Days Too Long and Geno alone. The rest is ok
It’s fine. Solid 3. (Tim: His mannered vocals are hard to take. Still a 3.)
Better than the first Dexys I got; not as good as the second Dexys I got. We really need three?
Wait, there are multiple Dexy's Midnight Runners albums on this list?? Why? This is fine but ultimately nothing to write home about.
I know these blokes are on the list multiple times and all I’m gonna say is I will be outraged if Hall and Oates don’t make an appearance. This album is fine. I only knew this band from Come On Eileen. Favorites were Tell Me When My Light Turns Green, Geno, and Seven Days Too Long.
3.5/5
This was actually not bad, even without Come On Eileen! I really liked the horn section. Liked Songs Added: Geno Seven Days Too Long
This album wasn’t bad, but it’s nothing I’ll ever go back to either. On the flip side, it’s interesting to explore Dexys Midnight Runners just to hear something different from “Come On Eileen.” If you’re a fan of music with brass instruments, then this will be right up your alley. Other than that, there’s not too much to say about this album because nothing really jumped out.
I liked this more than the last dexys midnight runners album but honestly I kind of ended up just zoning out during it. That's usually a 3 for me because it doesn't annoy me but also nothing really stands out to me.