Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Is it my imagination or has Dexys Midnight Runners have been here a couple of times already? There's no doubt, the band's music is infectious and energetic, there's good musicianship, with several songs that are fun and easy to listen to, but after a while it begins to sound a little too "samey" and I dragged my ass to listen to it all. Everyone knows their "hit" (spoiler alert, it's not on this album), so expectations should be high, but overall it's nothing more than a decent listen, nothing too high or too low and I didn't love it or hate it, so sort of MOR, in my opinion.
I came into this album knowing only one song by Dexy's Midnight Runners, and that was 'Come On Eileen'. I wasn't really sure what to expect for this album, but this was on it. That being said, it surprised me in a really good way. This, in my opinion, is a very early ska album. The horns are wild and fun throughout the album and create a unique sound for this time period. I especially liked 'Geno' and loved 'Seven Days Too Long'. I thought it was really cool as well to get a poetry reading in the album. would listen to this again, and would love to explore more of their discography
Actually really liked it. Especially Seven Days… so pleasant. I don’t know how to articulate exactly what makes the song stand out to me musically. I love the melody, hopefully as we continue through the list I will be able to start to break apart what it is more and more.
Interesting I suppose
More brassy and “soul” than I was expecting. Not bad but not my fave.
Uhm?
I’m sure a lot of people only think of this band as a one hit wonder, but this is a really good album. A lot of fun songs. Geno and Seven Days Too Long were the best. A bouncing soulful punk effort, and an impressive debut.
the trend of me mostly disliking new wave continues
This was cool i liked more than I thought I would. Northern soul meets the Clash with horns. 3
Ok but pretty forgettable. Singer reminds me of the clash. 2.5 maybe. I just listened to nick cave and i liked this better
I loved the horns throughout the album. It really reminds me of ska music, which I'm guessing was heavily influenced by Dexys Midnight Runners. If you want more horns in punk music, Streetlight Manifesto was something I listened to back in the day. There were times where the singers voice was pretty... whiney? Usually I don't mind, but when you listen to a whole album of it, it starts to get to you in some way. I enjoyed my time with this album, some highs (and these were great highs) and lows but ultimately I think every song was worth listening to at least once. I was debating between a 2 and a 3, but I think 3 is my correct rating for this album.
it's fine....i'm bored....
I actually liked this quite a bit.
kind of sounds like pre-ska in a world without reggae
Geno doing alot of heavy lifting
This just didn't tickle my fancy. I enjoyed the horns. But kinda made me wish I was listening to a hardcore ska album. 2.75/5
I know judging a band by their spotify listens is hardly the best way to go but how can you call a band anything but a one hit wonder when the 3 most listened to songs on the platform are all different recordings of the same fucking song?? And that song isn't on this album. Their 4th most listened to song is on this album and, frankly, it wasn't that great and I'd never heard it before. I'm not saying this album wasn't an ok listen, just.... why? This album launched them and then they recorded their one hit 2 years later? So this deserves to be on the list? Musically, I like these guys a lot but get pretty tired of the singer. When he's not singing they're way more enjoyable. 2.5 rounding up.
Underrated artists.....
A few decent tracks and sounds, did feel quite boring and samey though
Very English music, which sounded quite ska-influenced with its rhythms. The musicianship is good but it's not really my thing with all the saxophone and I didn't like the singing either. 3 stars at best.
As a middle-aged white woman, Come on Eileen has been one of my favorite songs since I was 13 but I had never listened to any other Dexys Midnight Runners songs. The album was okay and I would listen again but not something I particularly love.
Fine. I think I was more generous to the other Dexys album, and this was about as good. But I don’t know. I gave it less because I felt like it. They’re in Ireland they can’t hurt me.
I was shocked that a second album by Dexys Midnight Runners was on this list. And yet PUSA isn’t?! Anyway, I actually like this more than the last one, but not by much.
not sure if this is a parody as in how they sang this or whether they were serious the whole time 😀 Favorite track: i am just looking other picks: geno, tell me when my light turns, the teams that meet
All around a good album with a bit of a ska twist. Not my favorite, but the vocals and instrumentals were a bit sticky and it was a unique listen. 3/5
Dexys Midnight Runners is just one of those bands that has some pretty good musicians but a not very good singer and Searching For The Young Soul Rebels shows this. The music for the most part was pretty solid with some good work on the trumpets, that is when they weren't doing the whole sudden instrument introduction thing (seriously, i hate when songs do that). The first track had a pretty cool intro though. But the vocals just weren't really something i liked. The singer just doesn't really sound like he's hitting notes right and his voice got a little bit grating at times. He did sound good in the Poem near the end of the album which really makes me think he should be something like a comedian or a motivational speaker as opposed to a singer. All in all, this album is okay, just kinda ruined by the vocals. Best Song: The Teams That Meet In Caffs Worst Song: I'm Just Looking
Good, except the singing. People always refer to them as a one hit wonder. They're not. Geno was a hit. Favorite song: seven days too long.
Adequate, and a bit pretentious, punk-pop. The singer’s pouty vocal style gets pretty tiresome.
UGHHHHHHH I am so damn sick of these 80s Brit pop groups. This one was a little more tolerable since the horn section was in action most of the time. Other than that the vocal style makes my ears bleed.
Not bad, but it didn’t do too much for me, especially the vocals
A nivel instrumental tiene cosas muy chulas, un acompañamieto de viento con arreglos muy guays, si bien se escucha como un poco la media de grupos de esta época, quiás incluso anterior, no me suena nada novedoso aunque tenga alguna pieza un poco más resultona y, lo dicho, los instrumentos mejoren la presentación
I can’t say I was looking forward to listening to this. I have heard Come On Eileen (a million times) and Geno and while I like those songs I had a gut feeling that the rest of the bands work would be a bit shit. In a running theme for English artists, I am not a fan of the vocals on here. It’s fun as a little novelty on songs like Come On Eileen but a whole album of this? Sheesh No shock that the first song that I really enjoyed on this album is The Teams That Meet In The Caffs, banging instrumentals that are free of the nervous pitch shifting vocals from the first two songs. Geno is a great song, won’t skip it if it comes on shuffle, it’s a bop I Couldn’t Help It If I Tried is where the vocals finally clicked for me, this song fucking rocks and makes me wonder why I haven’t heard it before but I’ve heard Come On Eileen an annoying number of times Arctic Monkeys should pay royalties to Dexys for continuing the time honoured English tradition of overly long song names. I’m not typing this one out, it’s the one where he’s high pitched. Eh. It’s got its moments, but most of this song sounds like a Wiggles track on speed. Dexys Midnight Runners should make a supergroup with the Police and call it wasted talent because the instrumentals on here are really something else but my lord if this was the kind of music that was getting around the UK in the 80s you better believe I would vote Thatcher everyday and twice on Sunday 5.7m Spotify listeners? Yeah I bet, mate. Some of these songs don’t even have the lyrics synced up on the Spotify app. Overall it’s not bad, but I don’t know if I would give this whole album a spin again.
Energetic, exciting, fun, and definitely worthy of a band that named themselves for their love of amphetamines. On repeated listenings, the horns start to sound a bit gimmicky, and there is nothing about the album which is particularly memorable, but it’s an enjoyable ride nonetheless.
Enjoyed this, not quite as much as the othe Dexys album. Love some funky horns, the vocals are a bit too over the top for me
Quite uneventful and samey
# 287 : They've done a pretty decent job. A fantastic debut album. I think Its OK, I could listen to it, a couple of things stood out. Very catchy, soulful with lots of horns!... Like the clash, but with horns LOL :-D Favourite Track : Seven Days Too Long
Fine, but was not expecting this on the list, like at all
Olipas englantilaista. Housemartins tuli mielen. Ihan jees! 3/5
Ihmettelen taas et miks tätä bändiä on useampi levy listalla. Myönnettävä on kyllä että vähemmän pahanmakuinen kuin oletin ja siedettävintä ska-meininkiä tähän mennessä.
I can see why “Come On Eileen” is their most popular song lol. Pretty good/enjoyable overall, but very little stood out as a must-listen.
This was alright, the unique feel from the horns at least helped distinguish it from other like-sounding new wave albums.
i hope they found them!
Felt like I was down the pub on a Wednesday night waiting for a steak and ale pie while the locals go wild for their best band. Fun but not groundbreaking
Ireland meets The Talking Heads, but with a really annoying lead singer. Love the use of horns on this album.
Why they sing like that lol
ok
I liked them,,b ut I don't think it held up
Better than I expected it to be. The energy is what makes it. They have a belief in what they’re making that makes this album work. There isn’t a great amount of range or any big dose of originality, but it is certainly enjoyable. 3/5
I honestly struggle a bit with the sound of Dexys themselves, it can get repetitive and feels like a sign of its age.
It was okay but I probably won’t even think about it ever again.
Trying to get past "Come on Eileen" and went down a different path. Doesn't sound the same, which is not meant as an insult. Found little resemblance. Good mix
Solid album with a really cool sound but nothing that really made me go WOAHHH. Some good tracks tho and cool to hear something besides come on Eileen by these guys.
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.
Ok pleasantly surprised by this, maybe I love 80s music
Come on, three albums of theirs? I like the guy's voice, it's a bit more of a peppy Robert Smith's. And the horn line is fun, but a bit... canned? But I think that's more the recording than anything else. Instrumental track is pretty good. There are moments that I don't think the singer is just... not the right fit for the song, like "Thankfully Not Living In Yorkshire..." I want someone wiht a quirkier voice. "I'm Just Looking" works, although I wonder if it was sung by a torch song singer how much better would it be? But I guess if the album was done by rotating singers, it wouldn't be DMR, would it? It's a good album, but I don't see why this is so different from the other Dexys albums. Or what makes it a historic, "You gotta hear this" album. Top songs: "Burn It Down," "I'm Just Looking," Keep It," "The Teams That Meets In Caffs."
Hey did you know Dexys Midnight Runners was this amazing British punk/soul band that has 3 albums you need to hear before you die? Me neither. Ok, you didn't know but do you believe it now? Me neither. They're fine and all, but this is a bit much.
Northern soul with a northern brass band sound. After a while, all the tracks begin sound the same. Contains their massive hit "Geno" which I was never really a fan of.
ok 3*
Burn It Down - 3 Tell Me When My Light Turns Green - 3 The Teams That Meet in Caffs - 3.5 I'm Just Looking - 4 Geno - 3.5 Seven Days Too Long - 3.5 I Couldn't Help It - 3 Thankfully Not Living - 3 Keep It - 3.5 Love, Pt. 1 - 3 There There My Dear - 3.25 He doesn't have a bad voice if he actually sings, like in I'm Just Looking. Or, The Teams, where he doesn't talk. In terms of this genre, they're not the worst. I'll give em that. Not quite 4 territory, but they've earned a 3.5.
Searching for the Young Soul Rebels by Dexys Midnight Runners Thursday 6/20/24 9:45 A Tier————————— The Teams That Meets In Caff There There My Dear B Tier————————— Geno Burn It Down Keep It I Couldn’t Help It If I Tried C Tier————————— Seven Days Too Long Tell Me When I’m Just Looking Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire D Tier————————— Love poem
"Geno" is no "Come On Eileen". But it's still a nice hit. Apart from that, this debut surely has a voice of its own with its ska-tinged new wave / Northern soul / blue-eyed soul shenanigans, even if those styles often appear a little quaint to my ears. The voice is messy, but also fully expressive. And the natural-sounding production sounds honest enough. Leaving the door open to this one, even if the first listen was not a full blast. 3/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums. 8/10 for more general purposes (5+3) Number of albums left to review: 169 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 361 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 209 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 266
Enjoyed it Standout songs: Im just looking Geno Thankfully not living...
Very different from come on Eileen sound... Pretty good. Whiny sounds but good sax
A couple of good songs on it but not amazing
Strange, didnt even know they made that many albums. Enjoyed this one, good energy can feel the influnces from 2 tone and punk. Nice trumpet.
Have I logged into the Dexys Midnight Runners fanclub by mistake? This is the better of their albums but I don't think we needed all 3.
I liked this over the other Dexy's album in this list. The northern soul is strong here, and Kevin Rowland's is simultaneously individual and full of character as well as indecipherable and fucking annoying. I'm not really sure what it was all about, and I was torn between saying that I preferred the original and that I loved the uniqueness and the brass section on slightly punky tracks. 3.5 stars
Oh, Geno!
Had the same consistent sounds throughout and I wasn’t a fan of the talking. They just didn’t use it right, and it is hard to use talking in music.
I love the exaggerated, flamboyant style of lead vocalist Kevin Rowland. He sounds like no one else. The music is fun. It’s got a bright and sunny ska style. I smiled a lot listening to this one. I could see this album growing on me with more listens.
"Geno" is definitely Dexy's Midnight Runner's second most famous song. It's a pretty solid song, but this band is forever remembered for "Come on Eileen", so I'm assuming that record will be on this list as well. It's always such an interesting thing to me when a band has one song that is so monumentally famous and doesn't ever come close to hitting the mark with any of their other tracks. It's like all the other ones are practice iterations until they got the big one out there. The sound of the band itself is great. It's this British fun high energy rock folk with some interspersed fun reggae or ska sounds, wildly fun vocal parts, and a lead vocalist with a warbled sound that is so idiosyncratic and loose and makes you often think "is this sound a jokey, silly sound, or if he serious?". "Seven Days Too Long" is a solid track. I might like it more than "Geno". Yea it's not a bad record. I really actually dig a lot of moments on it.
Good mood the whole album long. I like the punkish sound with all the brass instruments.🎺 Very entertaining and round album without any outstanding titles. Musically ⭐⭐⭐⭐ but the vocals sometimes can be annoying. 3,5
Find this to be a pretty average rock album with some interesting variety of instruments and average lyrics
Very high 3
aight. 6/10
Better than I expected but really top heavy. High 3.
I really liked the horns on this. High 3. Vocals were just alright, a little too 80s for me
I really can't stand C'mon Irene so I expected to hate this. Fortunately that's not on this album. Honestly, I don't really care for it, but the instrumental was the best song on the album. The horns are a nice touch. Still, no interest in hearing this again.
1980s rock, heavy horns, more like old rock in line with blues brothers crossed with fast drum beach rock.
Some salty language but I really enjoyed it.
Given my enthusiasm for Come on Eileen, I expected to like this more. I will try to give another listen, but the first round didn't grab me.
I miss eilene
This band is good at soul. It's sorta a shame they're known as a one-hit wonder. I liked this.
I understand why. They were one hit wonders. I love the use of horns in their work. The songs are not particularly memorable. I see why they had some fans in their day. Just don’t feel like their music translates past when it was written.
Thought I'd like them better than I actually did
Yea, it was alright
This was alright. Sounded like the first ska album.
It was ok
Disappointed that their best song Come on Eileen was not on it. But not bad.
Liked the horns. Kind of liked the whiny angsty lyrics. Kept me interested.
This is long and I like the trumpets but grrrr...
I did not expect a one hit wonder band to have a place on the 1001 albums. I especially didn't expect the album to not have the one hit! I dig the basic genre and style. I like Horn heavy band. Enjoyed their Specials reminiscent vibe. His voice is an acquired taste at best. Fun, solid, but I think I'm good with one and done. Listened and now I'm one album closer to being about to die with completeness. Somewhere between 2 and 3. I'll decide in the morning. As I near the end, it's upgraded to between 3 and 4, but I think it rounds down.
Thought I knew what this was going to be, shocked when it wasn’t, surprised by what it was. It isn’t Mozart but it’s far from terrible
This has got to be the weirdest album on this list so far, but subtly so - like The Clash had a one-night stand with a ska band and it didn't work out, but this album is the kid they're coparenting, and they're all doing their best and kinda making it work, but things are never quite stable.
They have the same kind of vocal as The Clash have. But their tunes are more funky/folk. The brass section is a very good section. 3.5/5.
their breakout album provides a fun upbeat rock that has some early ska elements coming from the horns with vocals that are reminiscent of the talk heads. Fun listen.
I didn't like the singer, but the music was quite good
Punkish new wave from the 80s (loving the 80s these days) with a dose of ska. Didn’t emotionally connect to this album but enjoyed it more or less , let’s give it a 3 star.
Better than I thought. But still cheesy. Reminded me of inxs meets ska
80s pop group that reminds me of high school balls, it's nostalgic but not something I really miss.
Festive and riotous. Foundational Ska elements. No Eileen makes it a raw underdog of an album with no singular hooks.
I like the music. Not crazy about the singing. Maybe a little bit too much on the horns after a while.
Where is "Come on Eileen"??????
Eh
Truly never heard of this band. Interested to see what they sound like. Definitely not my style.
The voices oh the voices I cannot do. 5/10
Great album, some 10/10 songs, but overall not my thing
3.7 . First half > second half
A mix of great songs (Burn It Down, Geno, Seven Days Too Long, There There My Dear) and terrible songs (I'm Just Looking, I couldn't Help It If I Tried, Yorkshire). But I will always round up for exuberant horns. Interesting enough to merit a place on this list.
Enjoyed this more than I thought. Like many I only know them for Come on Eileen but quite liked the blend of punk and brass which is quite novel. Not a fan of the singers voice though
Didn't know they had more songs than Come on Eileen. This was ok. The good parts were the variety of the instruments which gives it a unique sound.
I’ve always regarded this band as a joke who only were able to be a one hit wonder. While I wasn’t blown away by this album there was a lot of the production elements I loved. The changing of the radio stations on the first track, the instrumental interludes, and the use of horns. Only able to listen to it once all the way through. But I think I’ll return to this. 3/5
Since this one didn't have Come on Eileen on it, does that mean Dexys Midnight Runners not only put out more than one album but they also have two on this list? Probably could die without hearing both albums I would have to imagine, but we will have to see. This one is alright, I like the horns and I like how terrible the singer's voice is but how well it works with the music.
Like most people I knew nothing of Dexys Midnight Runners beyond Geno, Jocky Wilson Said and its legendary Top of the Pops performance, and of course Eileen and her spunky adventures. This album is better than I expected, but the horn arrangements are so overpowering that a lot of the tracks are a bit samey, and Kevin Rowland's delivery is ... interesting.
Horny :) 3.5
It was fun but repetitive.
Not bad, but three must-hear albums by these guys?
Not for me I don't think.
nah bruh the ASMR on track 4 was wild. yeah this was pretty mid
While the Runners are obviously very talented, I have the same issue with 'Searching For The Young Soul Rebels' as with most Queen records. There's just too much going on, and it's complete sensory overload.
There’s a lot to love about Dexys Midnight Runners. There’s a lot that’s simply too much as well. It’s fun. But I’m also done with it for now when the record is over.
A lot better than the Eileen song. A solid 3.5 stars.
Köper det inte helt. Lite brassband typ?? Mysigt dock på något sätt
Music was enjoyable and the poetry between tracks was interesting - a glimpse into what artists found inspiring in another time. Enjoyed the plucky hints of almost ska vibes.
Okay
It ok
Hate the voice but kinda liked it in a weird way
It was okay.
Eh it was alright.
Enjoyed more than the come on Eileen album, especially the horns.
Great in parts, but not arsed about the slow ones - vocals are really bad
3.5
this is a different sound from what dexys midnight runners are typically known for. there's a smattering of new wave here, but more than that, there's SO much jazz inspiration happening here, especially with all of the horns used so consistently! there is also a punk aspect to this music, and that's where the new wave sneaks in. searching for the young soul rebels is a good album, albeit not what i expected.
Based on my limited exposure to Dexys Midnight Runners, I was expecting "new wave". And the album is labeled "new wave" on Wikipedia and such. But a few songs in, it was evident to me that this was more like a slightly new wave-infused soul and jazz album. Honestly, perhaps the most honest genre classification that can be given here is "proto-ska". Wholly not what I was expecting. Overall, this wasn't bad at all. I don't really feel like it did a WHOLE lot for me personally, though. Nonetheless, I was glad to hear a bit more from this band beyond their very obvious hit, "Come On Eileen".
I don't mind it but the horns overwhelm.
also die erst 3 lieder hemmer gfalle au wenn ich am luca muss zuestimme, dass d blöser au chli lisliger abgmischt werde hetted chönne (ich lieb die dütsch sprach) au er het nöd die besti stimm doch ich mag sie no I'm just looking hassi iwie gahahahaha extrem nervigi und luti blöser und ihn verstahtmer fast nöd iwie hmm jaaaaaaaaaaa nöd schlecht nöd würkli hammer
Not my favorite type of musical genre. Only loved their song, come on Eileen.
Perfectly fine rock/soul stuff.
Meh.
Better than I expected.
All of the great moments are canceled out by the absolutely horrendous ones. The singer manages some good performances but overall, he is still not good.
I went into this not expecting to like this band, but I actually loved them after the first two songs alone! I knew 'Come On Eileen' its a classic but I knew nothing else about Dexys Midnight Runners and now I love this band. My favorite song on the album has to be 'Tell Me When My Light Turns Green' Overall: 3.2/5
fínustu lög inn á milli. aðra umferð. 3,5
This was fun, lots of energy, kind of hilarious vocals at points, good time had! 3/5
Just average and not really my music. But one or two songs were really catchy!
Nothing wrong with this album, I just had a really hard time focusing on it today for some reason. Favourite songs: Geno, Seven Days Too Long, Tell Me When My Light Turns Green Least favourite songs: I'm Just Looking 3/5
Geno is the standout song here. The rest of the album sounds pretty much the same with some fun instrumentals and really hard to understand lyrics on first listen. More like a 3.5.
I was all set to give this album 4/5 until I heard Love, Pt 1.
I liked it
Rythmé mais répétitif, la façon de chanter du chanteur m'agaçait au bout de plusieurs chansons. Mais album good vibes.
Very interesting and fun, Geno is a banger, but ska just isn't quite it for me
Soit le chanteur chante juste mal ou il se retient ben fort de pleurer. Anyway, le gars sur la trompette carry toute l’album, je lui accorde donc un point spécial juste pour lui
Geno is a classic but the album is a bit meh
я никогда про них не слышала а у них два альбома тут! два! этот похож на тот что я первым слушала) норм
It's fine, but boring
Energiek begin, blazers niet super gemixt maar oke Leuk album, leuke stem Beter als het meer ska was 3 sterren
Nice, energetic. Unfortunately, the best tracks are the least original.
Had some moments, but seemed kind of bland
Aika perus enklanti-rokkia. Ei harmita tämän kuuntelu, mutta ei sykähdytäkään.
Fun. I like horns. 3.5
come on eileen... not even on this album again
Why is there more than 1 Dexys Midnight Runners albums on this list? You're picking 1001 essential albums from all of music around the world and you just have to include 2! Dexys Midnight Runners albums!? That said, this band is so much more than the one hit wonders we all know them as. Still... 2 albums on this list is insane.
Kinda ska, kinda punk. I enjoyed it 3/5
Je ne connaissais pas du tout. C'était sympa pendant l'écoute mais honnêtement ça ne m'a laissé aucun souvenir alors que j'ai écouté hier.
I presumed they would have been a one hit wonder band as you never hear anything else by them, but some tracks on here weren't bad. Most were though. But some good northern soul/early ska-punk in here. 2.5*, probably would not listen again.
4/11, 36%
Very fun quality new wave Lots of brass instruments
Wow a ska record made it on this list? I dont like the mouth noise on I'm Just Looking. Mid shit really.
This is pretty fun, and certainly proves they’re not a one hit wonder. The horns are used exceptionally throughout, and the opening couple of tracks and Geno are incredibly catchy. It did lose my interest a bit in the second half though
This is "English Pop" but I would probably classify this as early ska, or rock music that teeters on the edge of ska. Strangely enough, I have heard one of the songs on this record a lot, I just never knew the name of the song or artist. This is a pretty alright album all things considered. The slower songs/ballads bring it down for me quite a bit though. If it weren't for that this would be a low 4. I lied. It just had a snippet of a song from another band that I had heard a lot and I just thought they were the same band because they have a similar sound and the lead singer sounds very similar (British) Feeling a strong to decent 3/5
It was alright.
I struggled at times with the jazzy interludes.
This is all quite fine but it also feels like a lot of build up to Come on Eileen.
Jesus Christ, Eileen. Come on already! I can't believe we listened to a DMR record without the one song the entire world thinks of when they think of DMR, if they ever think of DMR at all. And I'm going to stop typing DMR now. All that aside, I liked this record in a way. Specifically, I actually liked the horns. I can't say that about many rock-ish records with horns, but I liked them here. The vocals kind of drive me nuts and I kept thinking there ought to be a word to describe this type of singing, the way people threw around the term "yarling" when talking about the way Eddie Vedder sang on those first Pearl Jam records, that the guys in Creed and STP initially copied. There's also gotta be an indie band that had a moment in the oughts that sounds exactly like this band, but I can't think of who it is. Anywho, it was interesting even without Eileen.
- Good vibes and emotion - Love the addition of the piano it really adds a lot tbh - Liked it more than I thought I would
- ah these are the come on Eileen guys - definitely some unique sounds - enjoyed it more than I first expected to
I'm really enjoying this album, it's got a great blend of different genres. Album kinda loses me at the end but still a solid entire.
I really am not a fan of the production on this album so far (3 songs in). The horns sound disconnected and hollow, which is odd for a band that seems so horn-centric. This album got a lot better to me as it went on and I ended up enjoying it for the most part by the end. However, it is pretty inconsistent and I'm not sure I'd listen to the album again in full, which is why I have to deduct a couple of stars. I would put this at a 3.5 if I could. Standout Tracks: I'm Just Looking, Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply, Keep It, There There My Dear
The vocals are a little much, but overall I didn't hate this. Listened to the entire album, no skips.
Fun album. Easy to listen to.
Great till Kevin Rowland starts singing. I love those horns, but I'd rather wait til the midnight hour and listen to the real ones...
Better than expected
Meh.
I like them. Not sure why we need more than one album by them before we die. All kinda sounds the same.
It's actually pretty good. Really liked seven days.
Kevin Rowland definitely has a slight cry-baby singing style that seems overdone at times... and the falsetto approach on "yorkshire" is a hard pass. Still, the first few tracks, including Burn It Down and Tell Me When... are really enjoyable. A bit too uneven to rank higher, but an interesting listen.
Top 3 Songs: 1 - Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire Doesn't Apply (8) 2 - Seven Days Too Long (6) 3 - Burn It Down (1)
Hey this doesn't contain that famous song. It's fine otherwise. Nothing to write home about.
More of the same.
To Rye Aye is a better album imo
I will listen again, I think it will take a few for me to get it.
3.5
Surprised at the depth of content here after really only knowing “that one song”. The glottal singing (probably calling it the wrong thing) gets annoying and whiny very quickly. Gotta take the bad with the good. 1 - bad 2 - average 3 - good 4 - great 5 - outstanding
Musically very interesting, I just don't like his voice at all. Horn-driven album. They do very well on pure instrumental tracks. I would have loved more "The Teams That Meet in Caffs" type of songs. Favorite tracks: Geno, the instrumentals are good enough to outweigh my dislike of his voice Least favorite track: I Couldn't Help It If I Tried
I adore Dexys Midnight Runners. However, I don't like this album very much. It's not that it's bad - it's certainly not, and I can understand why someone would like, or even love it. I've tries several times to get into it in the past, but most of the songs just don't do anything for me, unlike Too Rye Ay (1982) and Don't Stand Me Down (1985), both of which I consider to be perfect albums. In my opinion, this album sounds like a band who hasn't quite found themselves yet. There are glimpses here and there of the greatness of Too Rye Ay, particularly in the only three songs I can say I love from this album. But I always find myself getting bored while listening to Searching For The Young Soul Rebels, and this time was no exception. Standout Tracks: "Seven Days Too Long," "Geno," "Tell Me When My Light Turns Green"
Since 'Come On, Eileen' wasn't on here, I was disappointed, but the album is actually pretty fun. I read the Wikipedia article, and they talk a little bit about the influence of soul music on this album, and listening to it, it's so clear. There's like an Otis Redding/Isley Brothers/Bobby Womack vibe there. Maybe Blues Brothers if you think about it. It's just really clear that they love the music that they're lifting from, and they want to sound like those soul musicians of yore. I've always felt that blue eyed soul is a little annoying except when it's done by Brits. They just get it. They're not trying to talk over people, they're not trying to pretend to be something they're not, they just love the music and can name 100 musicians who inspired them, and they're all Black/brown people who are the GOATs of their genre. It's terrific. I would say this album is definitely worth a listen if you're interested in what folks in GB and England were doing with their interpretations of soul meets ska (which is a Jamaican music form!), this is a great one to check out. The melodies are fun, the horns are jumping and the soul is there! Favorite Track: Seven Days Too Long
3.5. Very good. Soulful horns.
Meh.
Eh I liked bits but it can drag for a 35 minute long album 3/5.
Overall was great listen - very unique singing style, which at first I really enjoyed then got a bit tired of by the end. I definitely preferred the more upbeat ones where the trumpets took the lead, rather than the slower more ballad-y ones. I Couldn't Help It If I Tried I did wonder if they filled certain parts with certain noises rather than writing new lyrics
Good fun, could feel a lot of different influences in here, ska, folk, pop. Enjoyable but a bit repetitive by the end.
Best: Dance Stance Worst: idk I would have given this a 4 if it weren’t so bloody long (maybe), it just feels like they added most of the songs for no reason and it had little variation making it quite boring.
Mira, no son solamente Come On Eileen.
Sorprendente y divertido. Sólo conocía una canción de estos, y molan
La voix du chanteur me faisait penser à Robert Smith et à celle de plusieurs autres; en plus, souvent, il sonne presque comme une caricature tellement il pousse et exagère. Je trouve la musique entraînante et intéressante, quoique les cuivres soient très présents. Bref, j'ai oscillé entre plaisir et agacement.
Surprisingly solid and fun
7,5/10
I enjoyed this more than I anticipated.
Popping album. Not terrible, but something I probably wouldn't normally listen to. Their music sounds like a mash of a lot of different sounds, but none of them done really really well. 3 stars.
Chaotic ska punk? It was alright
Liked
It’s not bad.
helt kiva, tyckte int om när han viskade i mitt öra
Ganska swag
Lite repetitivt men coolt
I enjoyed this one a little, but it wasn't mind blowing. I give it a solid 3/5
Always thought of them as more of a one hit wonder, but I guess I was wrong. Album is timely, and sounds like it's inspired by the end of the 70's with notes of early Ska. Interesting to hear the influence of American Soul on British bands. Could do without the whispering or odd sound sections
2/3
Pleasantly surprised, enjoyable brass-sections, could be a 3.5/5 but I won't quite give it 4/5
3 or 4 i listened to it a lot but then again.
I thought this album was from the 60's so when I saw it was 2000, that made this a little more interesting. Listed as rock, but felt a little more like British punk. Nothing to write home about but a good listen.
Canciones con un estilo definido de pop ochentero. Fáciles de escuchar, sin grandes estridencias. Varios grupos con las mismas características
5/10. Very blah. Might have been more forgiving if there hadn't been so much blah in my albums of late, but then again there was a spoken word poem on here, so maybe I am being too kind with a 5.
There were 3 songs in a row that were pretty good but nothing else of note for me. 6/10
This wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be but the lead singer's whiny voice got annoying after a while. It's absolutely insane that they have three albums on this list though. 3.5 stars
72/100: I don’t know what makes an artist a one-hit wonder after listening to this album. I thought one-hit wonders only produced one good song and the rest of theirs are awful. For a band considered by many to be the prime example of a one hit wonder, this seems to be far from the case for Dexy’s Midnight Runners. This album was an absolute bop full of really good songs. To be fair, “Come On Eileen” is certainly miles better than any song on this album, but that’s just because that song’s so good, not because these are bad. It seems to me that being a one hit wonder doesn’t necessarily mean the rest of your discography sucks. It just means one of your songs is relatively considerably better than the rest. I wonder if this group, in hindsight, wishes they’d never released “Come On Eileen,” because I think this album would get a lot more respect if it weren’t constantly held in comparison to that magnificent song. Truly suffering from success.
Interesting. Not much else I could add
Didn’t expect to enjoy. Better than anticipated
It's fine, though not entirely my taste. Also the vocals get a little grating after a while
Oh it’s the Come on Eileen guys! This wasn’t the album with that song though. Generally enjoyable and I like the vocals in particular, but definitely falls under “forgettable pop” for me
Like most Americans, I knew nothing of this band outside of "Come On Eileen". A couple of songs have a heavy The Specials influence. I can't get past the vocals. I appreciate hard-to-understand singers, but something about the recording quality of the vocals and his accent makes a lot of it incomprehensible.
Does working class New Wave exist? If so, this might be the album that defines the genre. A temporary stop on the evolutionary timeline between The Specials and Fun Boy Three. The production isn't great. I find the lyrics hard to make out and Rowland's vocal delivery doesn't help. The record has its moments with a few good tunes that are held back by the rough sound and a dodgy singer.
This album has some good hooks and interesting ideas, which is what I've come to expect from them. I think the use of horns on this one was pretty excessive, and the vocals were very hit or miss. Not as memorable as some of their other albums
Bug
Didn’t finish the album. It wasn’t bad just too many songs/too long.
i like this more than the other dexys album. at least I gave the other a 2 and this feels higher than that for me. this has more of a rocksteady / soul vibe… i think I thought the other album was just forgettable 80s new wave outside of Come On Eileen. According to Wikipedia they came out of the Northern Soul scene in England... the spotify "The Sound of Northern Soul" is really good motown. 3/5 (good)
Found it about as good as the last one without come on Eileen.
Solid album, not much overly standout but good sound overall
Eh just ok. 3/5
This has to be the best band with the worst vocals I can think of in this genre.
I missed this one 300+ albums ago. I was reminded of it by “Don’t Stand Me Down.” Luckily, “Searching For The Young Soul Rebels” is much more tolerable than “Don’t Stand Me Down.” But the latter was intolerable, so that’s not necessarily saying much. How did Dexys Midnight Runners place three albums on the strength of “Come On Eileen” alone?? That song is on neither of the albums we’ve listened to so far. And I have no idea if the rest of “Too-Rye-Ay” will be as good. “Searching For The Young Soul Rebels” is a very horny album. Sometimes the horns are exciting and peppy, but sometimes they are just annoying. Kevin Rowland’s vocals were also not a highlight, though anything is better than “Don’t Stand Me Down.” “Seven Days Too Long” was a standout, and felt familiar, even though “Geno” was apparently the “hit.” The falsetto on "Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply" was terrible. By far the low point. But overall this album was… well, much better than “Don’t Stand Me Down.” Listening to it immediately following that stinker may have impacted my tolerance of this one?
This was new to me, and might be a 4 with a few more listens.
3/5
This is different Midnight Runners. I wasn't expecting horns and bleated vocals. I enjoyed the last one much more.
I liked all the parts where there was no singing. I couldn't stand the guys voice but really enjoyed the instrumentals.
Love the horns! 3.5
Kind of reminded me of a lighter, more ska version of The Clash. I liked a couple of songs but probably wouldn’t listen to it again.
It was alright I guess. The voice can be a bit much at times. Biggest disappointment is Come On Eileen isn’t on this album.
first listen great horn work, great mix of styles, but ultimately kinda meh
Okej album. Ništa prerevolucionarno.
Očekivo sam više nakon prve pjesme.
'Come on Eileen' is one of my favorite songs, so I was excited to see more from Dexys Midnight Runners on here, because I really wasn't familiar with them other than the album with that one song. Some really enjoyable songs, but also some unenjoyable ones, unfortunately. Love 'Geno' and really disliked 'I'm Just Looking.' Kind of a hit or miss album for me.
I was surprised to see an album from a band that I have only known as a one-hit-wonder, and this time it's an album that does not include their one hit. The music was okay. I didn't find anything that made me want to listen to more from the band, but not much to make me not want to listen either. The listening experience drug down a couple of times for some spoken audio, and there were a couple of times that I said "Oh look, they decided to include a swear." I think that Searching For The Young Soul Rebels comes out as "okay".
One Dexys Midnight Runners album is enough (the one with Come On Eileen), but this one is pretty good too. Lots of personality, energy, horns. God, there's so much brass.
Wasn't expecting a Dexy's album without Come On Eileen, but I get how they work for some people. The instrumentation was surprising, I wasn't expecting the horns to be present throughout the whole thing. Dectn but not my jam
Surprise 0-3-5
Love the angry horn parts: a little sloppy, but SO enthusiastic. Their cover of The Horse from the b-sides disc is great! As usual, the voice gets on my nerves. This 1001 albums process is making me realize I mainly dislike bands because of vocal styling. This sounds like Bryan Ferry gone wrong.
Bon album pop rock des années 80. L'influence new wave est cool.
Quite a fun album. I love the rich instrumentals and the lyrics are actually quite beautiful at times too. Only complaint is that there wasn’t much variation in the overall sound from each song. 6/10
5th December 2021 Listened during the day on my phone before going to see back to the future the musical with lev. They're not just come on Eileen, they're punky, ska-infused northern soul and I was very pleasantly surprised. 3.5 if I could.
Parhaimmillaan oikein toimivaa settiä eikä lievä epätasaisuus pahemmin paina. Jämäkkä kolmonen.
For a few years now, I've been a big fan of Dexy's Midnight Runners' "Too Rye Ay" album (looking forward to that coming up on this list later), where they cemented their unique blend of "celtic soul" and punk. Here, it all feels a bit embryonic by comparison, but there are signs of great things to come. While there isn't much range to what the horn section do, and their arrangements are quite basic, they still take these songs a long way, and really help to set Dexy's apart from many other punk bands of the early 1980s. The album's best known track, "Geno", is my favourite- a distinctive horn riff, drunken singalong and rowdy atmosphere pervades the whole song to the point where even the most cynical of listeners would have to at least nod along. Coming hot on its heels is "Seven Days Too Long", an energetic Northern soul cover where the band play with vigour and excitement, and Kevin Rowland's yelping, shout-along vocals feel most at home. It's the most powerful 1-2 hit of the album, and arguably the peak of Dexy's early career. Sadly, the rest of the album doesn't quite live up to these two highlights. Dexy's are much more suited to the energetic up-tempo material here ("There There My Dear" and "Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire..." are two other strong selections), while their ballads flounder in mediocrity. The instrumental "Teams That Meet in Caffs" feels distinctly like filler, with little to reward repeat listens. "Just Looking" is a bit of a dirge that even sharp hits of brass and swirling organ can't save, and "I Couldn't Help It If I Tried" limps the album into its second half, badly damaging the pace. On the whole, Dexys Midnight Runners certainly forge a unique sound here and there are enough tracks to make it a fun, engaging listen- just disappointing that it doesn't reach the heights of what they would go on to.
Party music, kinda folksy, very British
Britse popmuziek. Leuk dat er een blazerssectie bij zit, maar de zang is soms wel wat rommelig. Verder lekker melodieus en heel toegankelijk. ***
Fake gypsy wannabe dabble with blue-eyed soul. Makes me hate dungarees and polka dot handkerchiefs to an irrational degree. Best Tracks: Geno; Seven Days Is Too Long; Thankfully Not Living In Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply
Leuk die blazers. Heb zelfs getwijfeld over vier sterren :).
A band that dares ask the question: what if Sparks went ska?
7/10
Started strong but the pitchy, squeaky lead singing wore thin. A good album - certainly better than I expected since I dislike "Come on, Eileen". Glad I listened to it, but didn't add.
My previous knowledge of this band was limited to Come on Eileen. This was a decent (but not amazing) album of ska-influenced 1980s British pop.
Well, today is the day I learned that these are the people behind Come On Eileen and I'm not sure I could have guessed that. But overall this has a very jazzy feel which I enjoyed. More horns please!
Similar to their other album. Nothing I would consider must hear in any way, but a decent album for those who like the ska and street jam style of the band.
Short album that is technically even shorter since it's filled with interludes. Decent 80s pop, although a rather annoying singing voice
A lot of fun poppy songs on here.
Liked it but didn't love it. Nice to hear the sound of what previously was a 1-hit wonder to me. Learned a little bit about the band and definitely appreciate them more.
First Listen. Pretty great album. Great horns. Very enjoyable. 3/5.
3.75
Krisch direkt Chumbawamba-Vibes von. Juchzgesang, Bläser, Ballonhüte und Latzhosen - ihr macht es mir nicht leicht, Leute. Puh, und der nächste Song (Turning for ...) wird ja noch juchziger/bläsriger. Puh puh puh. Ok, angekommen in No. 3, The Teams That Meet ... - da mag ich die Bläser schon lieber. Bisschen Specials-Style vielleicht? Haha, ok danke - gerade läuft Geno, just to prove me right. Seven Days Too Long auch ganz gut, hätte ich damals auf den Klassenfeten jedenfalls lieber gehört als zum hunderttausendstenmal Come On Eileen. Ach, überhaupt wird die zum Ende hin deutlich besser, Yorkshire und Love, Pt. 1: gut zu hören, tatsächlich. Auch die immer wieder hörbaren Specials-Sound: I like. Versöhnt und bekommt 2,7 insgesamt.
I’m happy that Dexys Midnight Runners exists outside of Come On Eileen, and that this album is actually pretty cool too. Love that northern soul influence mixed with a less aggressive punk stying. It works overall and I understand the album, but none of the songs really kept with me too much. There there my dear, Geno, and the album opener probably stuck with me the most. That being said, some of the soul songs kinda dragged too. And for some reason, and it might just be my headphones, the production sounded a bit too “tinny” to me. Still overall, a pretty cool album I didn’t know existed.
I was expecting big things from this album but I just couldn’t get into it and didn’t make it to the end. Love Geno though!
Reading their Wikipedia page, it makes a lot of sense why they started off as a cover band. Some of their tracks feel like Soul/Jazz band covers of someone else's better song. Apart from Geno, that's ace!
Tykkäsin kovasti torvista, joita olikin tuuttailtu koko levyn läpi. Joissain kohdin oli myös mukavaa pianotykittelyä. Laulajan melankolisesta mölinästä en kuitenkaan pitänyt, se laskee arvosanan kolmoseen.
Just washed over me
There ain't no Come On Eileen here. TIL there are THREE Dexy's albums on this list. Seems high. Granted, that's due to the fact that I'm in the United States where Dexy's Midnight Runners are considered a one hit wonder. The aforementioned "Come On Eileen" was their only hit to chart here. Granted, it was number 1 with a bullet during a very competitive time, but yeah. Surprised not only to see the band here (let alone, with two more albums). They sure like the horns on this one. Maybe a little too much. It could be that when it comes to Dexy's, I prefer the fiddle. Both "Geno" and "Seven Days Too Long" are bangers, and this album could have used a few more of those. As always, fewer horns/more fiddle!
Not bad. Liked a few songs, particularly the one about Yorkshire :)
Pretty good listen, better overall than the album with Come On Eileen.
I liked it a lot more than I was expecting. Pretty good.
If they weren't so angry they'd probably be another Madness
So excessively British my god
Can’t get past come on Eileen
This album started well, but then apart from Geno, it wasnt that good. Glad I listened to it though.
Un album décevant après le très surprenant album comportant Come on Eileen écouté il y a de cela quelques mois, mais l'essentiel n'etait pas là: en effet, les Midnight Runners on réalisé une performance epoustouflante, réussissant à enregistrer les voix malgré un microphone disposé à plus de 15m du chanteur, égalant ainsi la distance record de cette discipline.
this was quite meh... i liked the other record by them better-
Fun listen, talking heads esq Big 80s vibesss
I like this album. Burn it Down is uch a GREAT song. Kevin's voice used to perfection. The follow-up Tell Me When my Light Turns Green is just as strong. For me this album is soooo much better than Too Rye Aye. 3.5 stars
Nice horns. Wailing vocals aren't always my favorite.
Can't really sum up this one. Definitely worth one listen though.
Meh.
Love the instrumentation. Lead singer's voice doesn't quite do it for me on most tracks. Fun, high energy pop. 2.5 rounded up.
Is this the cure ?! I like the album, not anything spectacular and compositionally I find it a bit bland with the same sort of riffs and instruments on each song. But its enjoyable.