Reviews (page 5 of 8)
This was better than I expected. It’s not great (or in my top 1001 albums), but there were strains of a band growing up alongside Clash and finding a different, soulful sound to play with. Enjoyable for a single listen, and I wouldn’t turn it off if it came back on my rotation after this.
Slightly better than Don't Stand Me Down. More upbeat instrumentals on this one. The instrumental parts weren't bad! Sadly the 'singing' and wailing if we can call it that is still tragic 3 ⭐️
Doesn't move the needle at all for me; it's music.
This was decent. Some influence from Talking Heads, it seems.
It was enjoyable, I like that early ska sound they have going on, I can see where others have been influenced
At first, I thought I was listening to an early Ska record. However, upon further listening, this is new wave rock with horns. All of it is serviceable and decent, but nothing stood out, even the hit single, "Geno." Without any anchoring nostalgia, this is an a-ok record.
6.65 ★★★
Like the instrumentation, hate the vocals. 3 stars
I liked this a little more than I thought I would. It's kind of a more soulful version of the 2 tone scene that was happening at the time. Kevin Rowland's vocals are probably an aquired taste for some, but I think the weirdness of his vocals kind of makes it kind of cool. My favorites are "Tell Me When My Light Turns Green" and "I'm Just Looking". 3.5 stars.
Kevin Rowland’s voice is a bit of a strange one. It is very like Roland Rat (make that ‘Rowland Rat’!) but always yowling and with a brain injury that makes his speech mainly incomprehensible. But it’s not actually too annoying on this album and there are quite a few good choons with rich, horny, solemn but sassy northerner soul horn grooves. Lots of good quality trumpeting and tromboning amongst the weird, wild n wonky Roland Rat yowling. Geno is the pick of the pops whereas that spoken word free sax love poem towards the end is the king of the stinkers along with the Jimmy Somerville Yorkshire song. High 3.5 stars.
At the time I'm writing this, the ratings for this average to exactly 3. Who am I to rock the boat? 3/5
Always thought these guys were Irish for some reason, so mostly this album is just making me think of the Commitments. It's fine, but why wouldn't I just listen to classic soul instead?
some good tracks, a lot of filler
With the constant horns, I kind of felt like I was listening to a British version of Chicago. Not as good as Chicago, but pretty alright overall. There were some good songs in here like Tell Me When My Light Turns Green and Geno. There There My Dear was a strong closing song. There were a couple of lowlights on this album. The beginning of I'm Just Looking gave me the ick, as the kids would say. The vocals in Keep It are also particularly annoying. Maybe if this album had this band's most famous hit, Come On Eileen, we'd be pushing towards a low 4, but I think this just lands squarely as a 3.
Who in the bloody fuck actually needs to hear 3 Dexys Midnight Runners albums before they die? While the inclusion of 85 Elvis Costello albums is a blight in its own right on this list, at least Costello had some hit to even out his miss ratio. DMR (as nobody calls them) lack anything that I can qualify as a hit. I mean Come on Eileen is a fine song, but only in the sense that its kind of fun and nostalgic. Outside of that narrow focus, I'm unclear what I'm supposed to get out of this exercise. Welp that's my disposition going into this album. I'll try to keep an open mind. Ultimately, I feel unshifted from my starting position. While this _was_ admittedly a better sounding album than the other 2 so far on the list, it still didn't do a whole lot for me. I didn't actively hate it but I really didn't need this. Low 3 in my book.
We did not need another Dexy's album on this list. I don't remember much about the other DMR albums except for lots of horns. This might be the best one we have had? The bar isn't exactly high...
Third and hopefully final album by them to come up on this list. Looking back at my other 2 ratings this one is right in the middle between the other two at a mid 3. The singer is still mad weird. And the amount of horns that they used made this sound like a ska album.
"This was fun. I can see where it's listed as having some ""Soulful"" roots. I've only ever known ""Come on Eileen"" and it sounds on brand. "
Previously rated: Too Rye Ay (4/5) ********************* In small doses. That's how I like listening to the singer of this band. The music is pretty cool and jazzy. Kind of like the album album from what I remember, but this one doesn't have Come on Eileen. I liked Seven Days Too Long and There There My Dear.
Bouncy, peppy, ska-y fun. Rough around the edges. Considering the band name effectively means "Cokey's Nighttime Smugglers" I'm gonna let them off with less polish. Wish it had "Come on Eileen" tho
bello
3.5/5. New wave, I guess, although not super obvious. I think this album has some different sounds, which is refreshing. Overall, not something that really excites me, but not bad.
A punk album with lots of brass instruments
7 days too long without you baby come on back to me 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️ I'm not gonna wait around forever.
Enjoyed this. Definitely going back
I only knew this band for Come on Eileen and this album was astonishing. It feels like early ska or at least that it maybe influenced later ska. The story of its making is fascinating too. The vocals are often too British New Wave but the rest of it is so not-that that this is a more enjoyable experience. I love the horns throughout.
Actually really fun. I wish they continued in the more horn-forward style tbh
This was an alright, typical-sounding British album, nothing too exciting, it was not too bad having it in the background.
1. Tell Me When My Light Turns Green 2. Geno 3. There There My Dear 4. Burn It Down 5. Seven Days Too Long 6. The Teams That Meet in Caffs 7. Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply 8. I'm Just Looking 9. I Couldn't Help It If I Tried 10. Keep It *Interludes omitted*
un album muy divertido de new wave, honestamente no esperaba que quedase muy bien mezclado con ska, pero cumple y se hace recordar.
Wow I actually like this one a lot more than the others on here. The brass really adds a lot. Still has a couple I'm not as into but overall this is much more entertaining.
“Come On Eileen” was an outlier for this band, and I like a lot of this material quite more than that song, which became an eardrill. Kevin Rowland’s voice is A BIT MUCH sometimes, but when he dials it down and the band gets into a groove, there are some terrific relistenable songs.
🎧Righto, pretty good Northern soul and punk-inspired pop rock. Some of this reminds me of Elvis Costello. Good brass section. Kevin Rowland’s voice sometimes stinks.
One hit wonder band
Enjoyed this one maybe the most of the 3 dexys records. That being said, I still didn't care too much for it. I might revisit it, but only begrudgingly. 2.8/5
Decent
Vocals remind me of Bowie. Not bad but not for me.
Gav altså lidt punk vibes selvom det overhovedet ikke er punk. Fed horn. Ville have været en 4er men der er lidt for meget filler
"Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" by Dexys Midnight Runners offers a vibrant burst of energy and soul-infused enthusiasm, characteristic of the early '80s. I liked it, but I won't go back to it. While it captures the youthful spirit effectively, the album feels maybe a bit one-dimensional. Its driving intensity and consistent theme might appeal initially, but lack the variety necessary to hold long-term interest.
Die Musik ist ja ganz gut, aber der Gesang gefällt mir nicht.
The brits should stick to making car shows
Not too bad
I’m not sure if this makes sense: I get they are good at what they do but it doesn’t hold much interest for me
I do enjoy the madness of the Dexys, think there’s other album had a single track which encapsulated that, this one has similar vibes but no stand outs
There are some cool tracks on this. I only knew the smash hit. As an album, the frontman's voice annoyed me after a while but cool to listen to some individual tracks from here.
Solid ska band made worse (for the most part) by a ridiculous vocalist.
Listenable.
I wish this list gave as much respect to older blues, country, and Americana as it did to new wave music
Ok, happened
Ska!
I gave this two the first time, but that was harsh. Here's a three
Stabil platta.
3.5 stars — this is a fun one, not one i think i’ll reach for a ton but glad to have listened to it
I'm not super familiar with the world of ska, but this sure sounded like it. I found that surprising, considering the only song I knew of theirs before this doesn't sound like ska. Anyway, it was fine.
Leuke ontdekking, alleen zal ik m niet heel gauw nog een keer opzetten
Geno is a classic Burn it Down is decent Seven Days is Too Long is a highlight It's not bad but 3 dexy albums is insane
Whooaaaaa Geno! A song with two distinct memories for me: 1. Losing a quiz at Toffs nightclub York, despite - or even because of - cheating. Having successfully identified Star Trekking by The Firm as being from 1986, I got down to the final two in said quiz (taking place at midnight in a crowded club). The DJ played Geno, and told us to write down the year and the artist. Closest wins. No problem with the latter, it's Dexys. As for the year, I happened to see my opponent write 1981. No problem, I'll just go one year up and write 1982 - they're early 80s, but surely not that early. 1980. He won a karaoke machine, I won eternal shame. 2. Singing it on karaoke without the benefit of knowing any of the melody or lyrics beyond the bit where you shout 'whoa Geno'. The rest of this album is so-so.
Who knew the Come on Eileen guys had more hits.
Good album
Had never heard a Dexys Midnight Runners song before other than Come on Eileen. 80s alt vocals over a lot of horns. It’s pretty good
4* horns 2* vocals
Underwhelming despite the horns. Could have been sub optimal listening conditions and would be willing to listen again at some point.
Better than I was expecting. 3.5*
I’m a sucker for a tight brass section. That makes this album for me. Otherwise it’s kinda lacking the hooks I want from Dexys
Fun and upbeat! We had "Too Rye Ay" not too long ago. Both are quite similar in style and fun. "Too Rye Ay" had more memorable songs with "Come on Eileen" and "The Celtic Soul Brothers" while this album only really had "Geno" that I think stood out. Still a fun album but not something I really feel like listening to again. "Geno" pushes it to a weak 3.
So here's one I'd say need not be on the list. But it is, and I like horns, so a 3.
Their other albums were better
Idk. This is one of those albums on this list where I enjoy listening to it, but will also forget about it within a few days.
The instruments were nice but the sorrowful singing voice mostly ruined it for me.
Tiden har nog runnit ifrån dem. Jag kan höra att det här var bra nån gång förr i tiden. Men nu tar det inte tag i mig. Trea
The music is great but the vocals get so tiresome
The first half of the album would bore me quite a bit. However, when the uplifting melodies flood the following songs, I started to take a keen interest in it. I saved a bunch from the final ones.
The vocal sounded familiar to someone but I can't tell to whom.
Was this bad? No. Was this great? No. Did I want to listen to it again? No. On a 1-10 scale I'd probably go four, but with 1-5 scale, I find it hard to give it a two, as it is not objectively bad. Yet another UK centric pick, certainly not something you "need to hear before you die"...
Thought this was alright. Worth a listen anyway, didn't not enjoy.
++: Burn It Down, Seven Days Too Long, Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply +: Tell Me When My Light Turns Green, The Team That Meets in Caffs, I'm Just Looking, Geno, Keep It, Love Part One +-: I Couldn't Help If I Tried, There, There My Dear 6,4/10
This is an interesting curio: how do you remember an Album Band™️ who are mostly remembered as one hit wonders? Yes, I know that Dexys Midnight Runners are not one hit wonders in the UK, but I get the impression that time has leaned more favorably to the American narrative in public memory. And if we’re talking canon (as we always are when analyzing this list), then public memory matters when assessing Searching for the Young Soul Rebels. Modern critics seem to overcorrect the one hit wonder allegations, claiming that the US messed up by not giving Young Soul Rebels its rightfully earned dues, and I think that overcorrection is what landed this record a spot on this particular list. (That, and the British-centric narrative that persists throughout this list.) But is it canon-worthy? Is Searching for the Young Soul Rebels a great album? Does it prove that Dexys Midnight Runners are more than their most well-remembered hit(s)? Was their clear album-oriented vision only obvious in retrospect? Kinda. And kinda not really. Searching for the Young Soul Rebels is certainly well-made. The musicianship is top-notch. The aesthetic, while put on, is intriguing, and feels sincere. The soul revival approach is coming less from a place of nostalgic cash grabbing, and more from the vantage point of a crate digger, and that’s obvious, and one of this record’s greatest strengths. And even if you’re not a fan of Kevin Rowland’s vocal choices like me, it’s still a meaningful, thoughtful choice that fits the aesthetic goals. My issue, unfortunately, is that the songs very rarely work. The crate-digger, niche reference worldview brings Dexys down interesting alleyways that tie back to long-forgotten touchpoint of the soul genre, but hearing them revived, you immediately realize why they died off in the first place, and why their graves were forgotten beneath the overgrowth. The origin of this style of soul feels kitsch in a Tin Pan Alley way, ephemeral and made for a quick buck. So when Dexys tries to redo it with all the sincerity in the world, it doesn’t sound artful, it sounds tasteless, naïve, and even immature– not just collecting Beanie Babies in the 2020s, but leaving them in your will to your children as a financial asset. Not everything on Searching for the Young Soul Rebels falls this flat– the record hits a good stride in the middle where I see how someone could enjoy it– but most of it just doesn’t feel all that deep. That’s important, because this is one of those records that you know the band thinks is so deep, overflowing with meaning, and deserving of canonization. And it just isn’t that, despite the band’s talent and despite Rowland’s vision. As someone who’s fascinated with one hit wonders, there’s so many records by long-forgotten bands that I’ve sincerely defended as 10/10 albums that I’d rate above Abbey Road, Pet Sounds, Dark Side of the Moon, Rumours, etc. I’m not averse to sticking my neck out for this type of band. But Searching for the Young Soul Rebels is not an album worth sticking my neck out for. It’s decent, and not trash, but it is shlock, forgotten for a reason. Not $1 bin, but $2 bin. It’s decent, but I’ll be lucky to remember to pull the few songs I like out and put them on a playlist, let alone remember the album as a whole in a month or two.
1 hour 49 min of Dexys and none of it is Come on Eileen. Didn’t expect that
Meh, it’s ok
I understand the political and nostalgiac impact, but sounds like proto-ska. I'd much rather listen to the actual Geno Washington than "Geno."
I didn't realise DMR were a '3 albums on the generator' kinda band, but then I wasn't born when any of them were released so who am I to make assumptions? And anyway, I like 'em. There's good stuff on all of their albums - they're just not quite consistent enough to convince me that any of them are classics. Their 'best of' collection must be all killer, mind. 3.5
Solid memories of living in Ireland in the 80s. Love the emotions, and energy.
Good, but not my taste though
The band is excellent
Musically, this was alright. I quite liked the horns and almost Madness-esque vibe to it. But vocally it wasn't for me. Almost wish it was an instrumental album!
The ska vibes grow on you. But ruined by vocals similar to what happened to Talking Heads and The Smiths for me.
Not listened to this since the 80's. I found if anything that with the passing of years I appreciated the music more. Stand out track is obviously 'Geno' but there's much to enjoy here.
S'okay. Not my cup of tea. Solid instrumentals and vocal work I didn't care for. 'Geno' was good and my fave pick.
Better than the hit but still not exceptional.
2.9
No. 287/1001 Burn It Down 3/5 Tell Me 3/5 The Teams 4/5 I'm Just 3/5 Geno 3/5 Seven 4/5 I Couldn’t 3/5 Thankfully 4/5 Keep It 4/5 Love NR There 3/5 Average: 3,4 Positive surprise for me. So far I mostly disliked the new wave albums on this list. But this one was actually quite enjoyed listening, especially the use of trumpet.
fun blokes who don't stick out too much but they enjoy what they do ay
Cool stuff a bit boring at times
Hey this is alright. The horns work. Perhaps a little too ska on the last track. From reading the other reviews I did not expect the horns to work. I didn't know this band from the hit Come On Eileen and would have been more suspicious if I had. I am turning off Come On Eileen as we speak so that I don't round down to 2.
Kind of rolled my eyes when this came up, just because it’s a band that I (and most people, I think?) would consider a one hit wonder. A good lesson in checking oneself. Sounds like if the Clash had done one more album, and it was their second worst one, but in a good way. Rounding down from 3.5 here.
Not a huge fan, but nothing terrible.
Dexy's in their Northern Soul original incarnation, featuring of course, the stomper that is "Geno", bangier than a box of firecrackers. Of course, they would go on to discover violins and dungarees and give us the timeless classic "Come on Eileen", but let's enjoy them as they were...
Searching For The Young Soul Rebels does a fair job of setting a really tangible mood with plenty of emotion but it's mostly brought down by terrible vocals. Kevin Rowland can't sing, it doesn't really matter at times because it suits the song (I Couldn't Help It If i Tried, for example, is a fantastic song and his vocals are fine here), but there are too many occasions where it's just incoherent warbling in the wrong key and ruins the song. The highs of the song I mentioned plus Tell Me When My Light Turns Green and Geno are impressive, the horn section is very much my bag throughout, but it doesn't hit a consistently high quality bar often enough to get more than a middling 3.
Not my cup of tea really, our second of their albums in the past few weeks. Singing is really ropey, works in some places, doesn't in others. Definitely interesting though in places, probably does merit a place on the list, but not something I'm likely to revisit in reality. Just about a 3.
Not as good as too rye ay but it was decent and geno is a really good song.
fun fact: "dexys" refers to dextroamphetamine, a stimulant medication used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy :) had no idea what to expect from this album but it was a p fun romp. 3.5 stars
Dexy's gave birth to the notion of Irish Punk music (The Pogues, Black 47, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphy) and outside of their one-hit-wonder label thanks to 'Come on Eileen', this second entry of theirs to this list is very different, yet draws a roadmap for the bands listed above. 3.5/5
I neither love or hate, it's alright.
Fun and poppy. Definitely appreciated the brass and woodwind incorporation as well, helped this album stand out a bit more and made it feel less dated. Unfortunately I do feel like a lot of the songs are very similar as they would be on any album, and there isn't enough that's wholly interesting to me to make me want to come back for more. Top tracks: Tell Me When My Light Turns Green; Love, Pt. 1 (Poem); There There My Dear
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