Reviews (page 4 of 7)
Killer music, but I couldn't get past the singer's voice. Personal issue. Otherwise, powerful and raw, and the singer gets less grating as the album goes on. Maybe I just got used to it.
This album is weirdly boring. I remember 'Freakonica' back in the day and the single "Park Avenue". I bought it in a used bin. It sounds like the mid-late 90s - industrial guitars, electronic sound that would make it on a soundtrack only to be forgotten entirely. This isn't better and not worse. GaB is a band that has studio level talent but not enough creativity to truly make it.
Some of it felt like angsty emo-esque rock. Nothing was all that nice to listen to.
Blech those vocals were tough. Couldn't turn down the volume low enough to stop bothering my ears. Not my thing.
Mom, can we have Queens of the Stone Age? No, we have Queens of the Stone Age at home. Queens of the Stone Age at home: this. Nah, this is too broody. The want to be NiN but can’t get over that hump of shit.
Had never heard of this: buzzsaw guitars, raspy voice, very cool. Kind of like a rougher QOTSA.
Zuhause, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Sehr feine Klangmusik.
Not bad, not good, not sure why it's on the list
Utterly boring rock music. Listenable but not enjoyable. How is this on the list?! 2.2
Never heard of this band before but just loved the album. High energy, catchy riffs, a bit of an attitude. What more can you ask for? I could imagine watching these guys live in some sweaty beer barn, pouring down a few beers and trying to look cooler than I am…
The backing tracks are not terrible. There are moments of potential in the droning. But those vocalizations - from the whisper slur to the roar scream - aren't particularly musical and never produced anything interesting for me. Overall, it was so forgettable that I read the synopsis on Qobuz. (Ordinarily I rate albums before reading anything about them or their artists.) It actually says, "His nods to '60s lounge culture -- a thematic fascination that would grow even stronger over time -- crop up at points here, even if the whole atmosphere is more like Sinatra mean drunk and out for blood, lots of it." Which is bizarre; but at least interesting. Far more interesting than anything on the album.
This review is written before I listened: Heavy, moody, headbangy, shite. After listening: yep 1.3 outta 5
That was a rock/grunge album
Nice
I looked at myself in the mirror, realized I didn't have a lip piercing, eye makeup or a long history of posting RAWR XD on anyone's Facebook wall and knew this one wouldn't be for me. If you're going to make really bad emo music, at least be really good at guitar or drums or something. Melt my face with an over the top solo, make me feels something other than angsty.
I couldn't hear this album well in my car. I think it was pretty good. 90's grunge music. Good stuff.
I hear more of a Phil Anselmo trying to be quiet a library then a Mark E Smith (referring to the Spotify description.) Very 90s, grungy post-hardcore Rockets are Red has some cool riff Let me come back is pretty engaging. Bass sounds awesome Some fugazi esque guitar in learned it Reminds me a little of bands like KING 810 and Nu Metal stuff, but more subdued and a bit less cringy for sure. Bullet Proof Cupid is the most played song on their spotify, the chorus is very effective, the constant distortion engulfing the track is quite nice. I don't love it but it's goood. This one and Let me come back I like the most as of now Hu uh 7 seas sounds very cool by moment and relaxed, the chorus is wacky tho not sure I like it Was worried it was gonna be too grunge but it's not bad, the production is nice
new. good
Ok
I get that this ‘post hardcore’ (had to look it up!) will by design sound ‘distorted’ - but this was not listenable for me!
Fine rock-ish music. Just unmemorable to me but not bad or offensive to my tastes.
Decent background metal. Like the genre, don't much remember the songs.
Listened Before? N A pretty decent alt rock album. Nothing that stood out too much here but I didn't hate it. Could listen to this one again. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Bullet Proof Cupid
not a bad album, definite 90s sound. reminds me a bit of Sonic Youth
This album is one of the main reasons I am doing this journey of the 1001 albums. I had never heard about this band, I had never heard any of their songs. But what a discovery. Great, loud, powerful rock.
Ugh! Only listened half way through and listened to yesterday's album again. The Band by The Band!
noise
Well, that was an experience not to be repeated. Another band name that was new to me, and perhaps I'd been ignorant of an all time classic experi... Oh God. This really didn't improve my day in any way. It was a relief to get to the end and (metaphorically) sling the album into the trash can. Derivative of some third rate derivative crap. Avoids a one-star review on the basis that I could detect some music, but otherwise detestable.
I did not see any merit in this. It wasnt bad, but its certainly not good. It seems to offer a bridge between grunge and early 90's indie at its best. At its worst it is generic and reductive of better albums.
Noisy, grungy - good texture Shitty vocals, weak guitar lines Good drums though
Another one for the 'wanted to like it more than I did' pile. There's a definite vibe with the two basses - they give off a great, sleazy, grinding impression - but it isn't backed up with any memorable songs. I listened to their album Freak*On*Ica quite a bit in the early 2000s and had heard this was their best album, but not much beyond the vibes. That said, still 3 stars, because WHAT a vibe.
I like the dark, driving guitars (bass?) a lot, but not so much the vocals. Almost similar to Sonic Youth if not for those subpar vocals. 3
Second album by a band I have never heard of. I didn’t really mind this although the vocals are low in the mix, I quite liked their style. This album is labelled post hardcore which apparently means it is punk but more creative, and I get that. However, I kept thinking it sounded a bit like Pavement if Pavement were rubbish. Obviously my three stars is generously given… especially as this band makes the Pixies look good.
Don't like the vocals
Almost a one but some of the music was ok. Didn’t like the vocals
per onestà intellettuale premetto che ho sentito poco di questo album perché non mi andava. il punto è proprio questo però: è così monotono che già alla terza canzone mi sembrava di star sentendo la stessa cosa da ore. quindi mi sa che azzardo un 1
Godo. Mi è piaciuto molto quest’album, atmosfere cupe, suoni grezzi e pesanti, un mix di rock alternativo e hardcore punk. Non conoscevo la band ma è stata una piacevole scoperta. 4,5/5
yy nie wiem ciezko mi cos powiedziec dobre rockowe brzmienia i tyle wsm nic wiecej nie zapadlo w pamiec
Ouais non pas ouf
New to me band and album. If I had seen this back then I'm sure I would've passed on it because the band name is dumb as fuck, and the equally clunky album title wouldn't have helped. I like the distorted bass sounds on this album. Solid.
I’ve never heard of this group. And after listening I’m certain that I won’t remember their whisper mumble screaming set to half decent music.
This started out ok and then went downhill. Didn’t love the screechy vocals.
What a breath of fresh air here! Reminds me of a German band called Pelzig I really enjoy, and who were clearly influenced by this. There's urgency, pressure, tastefully played instruments avoiding any sort of cliché, and tunes, hooks and some catchy one-liners.
Heavy, but not nearly heavy enough. This was so panufully 1993. It was no unlistenable, though, so I cannot give it less than two stars.
I didn't mind this album, pretty raw and some nice chunky riffs. Haven't heard of these dudes, I'm sure ill give another listen!
When you've bought a distortion pedal, and you don't know how to turn if off. Give it a fuckin' rest lads
Lots of distortion...
Great production. The instrumentals are alright but omg the vocals are bad
Ended up liking this one a lot. Not sure why it's on the list, but it was definitely suited to my tastes. Don't have many notes here. Overall: 3.6/5
Rating: 3.7 This was the exact album where I decided I wasn’t going to try as hard writing stuff, but let me say thank GOD I got to hear something different that is firmly removed from the “good” music meta. I never would have given this a fair shake if this list had not suggested it to me and it was kinda awesome.
very mid
This was good, the vocal style felt unique with super breathy strained style and the guitar riffs felt a little more interesting than typical grunge/rock of this era. I like this more than I expected and while not perfect I am glad I listened.
At first I liked it. Then it became too grating and boring and i was going to start skipping tracks and then it somehow drilled its way inside my head and the skipping didn't happen. I liked its dark depressive monotonous sound.
Can’t say I’d heard of these before. So obvs surprised by them. They’ve a new listener now.
I dont mind this genre but this is awful. No idea what it's doing here. Completely disposable. Lacks genuine anger or humour just goes on and on. Slight touches of Lou Reed or Doors done without conviction or subtlety were the only relief from pointless noise.
A full and fruity palate with lingering notes of Motorhead, and a hint of Marilyn Manson, but without the balls and the speed (both sorts of speed in the case of Motorhead). And I can detect a full-bodied influence on Muse. I think I'll finish the bottle. 3
Ouf, c'était pas facile à passer à travers! À un moment je pensais être à la fin de l'album, je check pis je viens de commencer la quatrième toune! AAAAAAAAH
Nice start to indie sludgecore. I am more than happy to wallow in the mud. Maybe a little monotonous, but worth attending to when they pick it and go like Let Me Come Back or Billy's. It can be hypnotic.
I didn’t mind it. Sounded a bit derivative but wasn’t horrible. I could easily go 2.5 but gets a bump from reminding me how much I love Sisters of Mercy.
I really liked this record. There's an eerie comfort and a confident writing style, matched perfectly by the performances. I'll admit, I was a little surprised that I connected to this the way I did.
I had a different GVSB album back in the day and it had its moments, but their schtick wore pretty thin after a few songs. Such was the case here. It's very grimy, so I feel kind of sleazy listening to it. Could be cool for a soundtrack, perhaps, but not the kind of thing I want to listen to.
I had a few moments of ok...I can dig. But those lasted about 2.5 seconds and it was too loud, too fast for these ears.
I cant believe I have never heard of this band. This is Ace!
There was very little (frankly nothing) here worthy of attention. Closest comparator in my mind is Bush - except this was even crunchier and noisier with poorer vocals. I won’t be back.
Музыка: 6/10 Разнообразие: 3/10 Тематика и вайб: 6/10 Цепляемость (отдельные песни зашли): 2/10 Реиграбельность (можно ли рандомно врубить на фон): 4/10 Итог: 4.2
Not for me.
distorted vocals, muddled guitars, driving rhythms. this album was an adventure, for sure. highlights: “rockets are red” “bulletproof cupid” “billy’s one stop”
Meh
I don't really like this genre, but this surprised me.
Not a fan.
Did not fall into entirely into the grunge ethos of the early 90s. Sounds a bit like Sonic Youth lite. Could see myself giving this more listening time.
Felt like they were trying to out-grunge grunge. I enjoyed the instrumentals, actually, but the singer just droned.
Based on the name of the band I was expecting some cool riot qirl band or something but that's not what this is. Not even a female vocalist... Oh well still pretty decent alt rock album Favorite track: Bullet Proof Cupid
I listened to this a week ago and remembered having some opinions I planned to write down but like every track on this album, I forgot them.
I like this, but I suspect the 1001 community will not
For fuck’s sake - what typical 90s “music to make you wanna kill yourself”. No thanks.
Wow I was able to skip and fast forward through this in about 30 seconds and didn't miss a thing.
Hmm. Was ok
Quite liked the sound of some of the songs on this album which is just as well as I don’t have a clue what the chap was singing.
There’s cool, there’s New York cool and then there’s GvsB, dual-bass, New York cool! 😎 One of my favourite bands when I was at Uni and I only wish I was half as cool as them. Their two albums subsequent to this one were their best and combined better songwriting and production (same producer mind!) with their trademark swagger. This one suffers from muddy production, where the vocals are somewhat lost and the sound too uniform. There are great songs here, and In Like Flynn, Rockets are Red, and Bulletproof Cupid all making it to set lists. Slightly baffling that this album is selected for the list at the expense of others, but I will rate it based on the band as a whole. Cool as fuck!
Not feeling this today, and I know they have better albums. S’ok.
I liked this about as much as you can like an album in which the best song is just the singer insisting he isn't on drugs. The driving rhythms and simply guitar melodies were fun. However I found that it quickly became quite monotonous.
I actually thought this album came out in the late 90s. I don’t love this style of alt rock but give them points for being early to the sound. Fav song was Bughouse
Girls against boys started as a side project started by Brandon Canty the drummer for Fugazi. Brandon Cantù is the It has a darker feel. It also features Scott McCloud, a member of one of my favorite all time bands Soul Side. This is the first time I listened to Girls against Boys. I really dig the sound of “Girls against boys”, it has those dirty guitar licks I love, the deep resonating vocals, and an ethic of let’s kick ass (punk rock). I would listen to this album to break things up. This is there sophomore effort. I can hear the sonic rumble I love in soul side and other bands like them on Discord. This album was released on “touch and go”! A five for daring to be that band that brings the noise to focused harmony. A five star album to me must have a guttural reaction, it can’t be considered that’s “nice”. It must either be considered great by some and others think it’s horrid. The diverse ratings shows that you have to have a reaction to the album. As a teacher once said sitting on a fence post create a mighty wedge. This album does not sit on a fence post.
such easy listening for me, but did not stand out in any miraculous way.
kinda cool Fav song: Bughouse
Dangerously close to veering into bad territory, but stays firmly planted in boring/not for me territory instead.
It’s a long way from essential but I found myself quite liking this despite myself Bulletproof Cupid is decent Can’t imagine listening to it again but I didn’t mind it at all. A very low 3 but it’s alright
Would not buy.
Album nakon ovog mi je bolji standard noise rock tog vremena
didn’t make it far into this one
Not offensive but no thanks. 1.5
I thought the band was decent but somewhat repetitive. Lyrics and vocals? Not terrible
This is a big “not for me, pal.” Unremarkable production, annoying mixing choices, and incomprehensible vocals - just generally a slew of musical choices I’m not a fan of. It’s not the worst thing I’ve ever listened to but I also could not wait for it to be over, so I must rate accordingly.
When I was first exposed to indie music, I learned about Touch and Go Records, and they had all these bands that people were wild about. I like some of it, but not all of it from the mid- to late-90s. This is kind of in the grouping of albums where, for me, I was like "yeah this is fine but maybe not totally my style." Bullet Proof Cupid is a good song, and I also picked Let Me Come Back for my 1001 "favorites" playlist, but overall this was kind of an underwhelming and average album as a unit.
Es ist ein kantiges, post-hardcore Album mit düsterem Groove und doppeltem Bass, das sich bewusst von Indie-Rock-Klischees absetzt. Mit Tracks wie „Bulletproof Cupid“ und „Satin Down“ liefert die Band eine rohe, charismatische Energie, stilistisch eigenwillig, aber nicht unbedingt ein Klassiker.
It’s a sludgy mess but it’s a sludgy mess that works for me. It reminds me of Fugazi but sloppier. Yea, it’s loud and moody but there’s some melody beneath the sludge. I’m sure a bunch of the critics here hated it but I enjoyed it. Bullet Proof Cupid and Rockets are Red were the standouts. 4 stars
Als je "noise rock" ziet staan, weet je al dat het waarschijnlijk experimenteel laweit gaat zijn. En ja, dat was het ook exact. 1.0
The evil Sugar (in a good way). Full of absolute sludge that gets hurled into your ears (in a good way). It's got a heavy thick stamp of 90s sound (in a good way).
The lead singer’s voice is a bit grating, which lessens the enjoyment level. But they certainly know how to create a solid wall of sound. Not really my cup of tea, but I do think they succeeded at what they probably set out to do. Gonna give it 3 stars because I can’t give it 2.5
# Album Name: Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby # Artist: Girls against boys # Rating: 2/5 # Comments: honestly, why is this on here. A very generic underwhelming american indie album. # Top Tunes: None # Would I listen to it again? No
Solid
Listened to this 2 days ago. Can’t remember a thing.
It's weird, they have a sound I like, but there's something lacking to keep me interested. It just became background noise. I understand why this band never caught my attention at a time in my life when I was excessively immersed in music. I do recall liking one song from their second album, but that's all.
Not very memorable. Enjoyed some of the tracks individually but a slog all in. 2/5
I liked it
It was like quiet metal. I don't know how he silently screams like that. There were some good guitar riffs and drums throughout but it was overshadowed by the garage band recording style. After a while it was all just weird quiet metal that sounded the same over and over.
I liked the music. It was heavy and guitary. I didn't especially care for the vocals. The vocals were buried and distorted and I couldn't understand much of it so I have no idea what the songs are about other than that one where he wants to kill everybody in the band. Nice! Didn't really grab me enough to give this a second listen.
Maybe I didn't give this enough proper attention, but it just felt a mediocre college garage band version of Nine Inch Nails. I couldn't understand much of what he was saying, and there wasn't a single song that drew me in.
Njae. Kan tycka det är lite egendomligt att ett band med så lite spelningar på Spotify har med en platta här.
I think this was decent but after awhile all the songs sounded too similar to me.
This album is like drinking battery acid from a martini glass while someone smokes clove cigarettes in your bathroom. It’s sleazy, hypnotic, and somehow cooler than you without even trying. Post-hardcore got drunk, put on leather, and found a second bass player. That’s the vibe. Dual bass lines slither underneath Scott McCloud’s vocals like subway rats in a knife fight—always lurking, occasionally poetic, and definitely not here for your comfort. Rating: 4.3/5 Short Review: A filthy groove machine that swaggers, sneers, and sounds like it has absolutely no respect for your playlist. Favorite Track: “Rockets Are Red” – sounds like someone slow-dancing with an oil rig while plotting revenge.
Album 886 of 1089 Girls Against Boys - Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby (1993) Rating : 2.75 / 5 Some pretty solid rock here — enough that I wouldn’t mind hearing it again, though I don’t know that I’ll go out of my way to seek it. It’s got a gritty edge and a steady groove that makes for a good listen, even if it didn’t quite push into standout territory. A fine album overall.
Not for me. Don’t really know why this was included. It’s fine 90s rock but just nothing particularly interesting and I ended up skipping through songs. (1.5 stars)
I'm sorry, but why do people enjoy music like this? Snooze.
I only listened to the first two songs on this album, but based on my rubric, I think I can rate it anyway. 😊 It's definitely not a 1 or a 5. And unless it takes a drastic turn, it's also better than a 2. Based on my (limited) familiarity with Girls Against Boys, I also highly doubt it reaches the level of a 4. So there you go. #cheating
Oh wow. This band has been popping up on my You Might Also Like lists for years now, but I've never listened to them before today. What a mistake! From the first bass riff, I was hooked. I love the low end-heavy sound of two basses, and the drums somehow match that sound. The lead singer is sneering and hoarse sounding all at once, and I love that, too. I listened to this three times in a row and then moved on to later albums. Adding yet another band to my usual rotation.
Probably would have been 4 stars to 20 year old me, but that ship had sailed. I will need to be satisfied with Local H and Primal Scream to scratch this itch. Love the filthy grooves and while I don’t mind his growl, it doesn’t do enough to push this farther into my rotation. Glad to hear it on balance, though.
2/5 - I didn’t need to hear this, because I couldn’t recall one hook or anything else after finishing it. I tried again and still nothing. I tend to like this type of sound compared to some other genres on this list, but this was a dud for me. Listenable, so I’ll give it a 2.
Não vejo porque este disco está aqui. Não é particularmente notável ou destacável em nenhum aspecto. Mediano, apenas.
Heavy-ish but really freaking good!
Cool.soumdimg drums
Nothing special really.
A pretty good album, I liked Go Be Delighted, Let Me Come Back and Bullet Proof Cupid.
5/10 not a fan of grunge, but this was still fairly well produced I guess
Entirely forgettable
Guitar was cool but that's about it.
Not for me
Honestly the fist time I’ve heard this, had this band on my list of post-hardcore bands to check out… They just weren’t high on that list and their name sounds uninspired. This album is great, Ted Niceley sound is on point, fits right in with the early Fugazi albums.
They are OK - but odd at times. I'd say iffy if they should be on this list - they don't really seem like anything special. I'll say 2/5.
Pretty good!!
Never heard of em, but it was interesting and decent - neat to see early forms of what became post-hardcore.
boring
Decent proto-grunge record. Sounds like a precursor to Helmet. Not great, but listenable.
Well that was interesting.
Fine. 3.5
This is generic post-hardcore ick from the early 1990s. Pretty shallow and probably won't reward relistens, but I found myself liking it quite a bit. I even ended up playing it through twice and found a few keepers. There's loads of other bands from this era with a similar sound, but this is quite solid, in that there's nothing that stands out as truly grating. Four stars, but only just.
It's okay
Decent harder 90's indie rock. Some dud tracks ("7 Seas" and two ending songs) but a great standout "Bullet Proof Cupid".
Oh Jesus Christ. I can’t even wth this except the review that calls it flailing is right. God this is awful.
Man, I was totally into this type of shit in 1993 and I never heard this album. I swear, Dimery must have a personal soft spot for this record because he was sent a review copy or he found one in a cut-out bin or a copy was left behind after a particularly raucous party, and he played it a lot and developed a fondness for it. This is a fair example of a certain brand of muscular alternative rock of the period, but I could name a bajillion bands that were doing the same thing to equal or better effect. For nostalgia's sake, this prompted me to go and spin a 1992 compilation album from my collection called 'Mesomorph Enduros' (https://www.discogs.com/release/1302085-Various-Mesomorph-Enduros) and, sure enough, there are a bunch of songs that sound pretty much exactly like this from Jesus Lizard, Melvins, Cop Shoot Cop, Foetus Inc, Tad, Laughing Hyenas, Unsane, etc etc. Many of those bands have secured a much more rightfully deserved place in alternative music history. This is a solid but unremarkable example of the genre. I dig it generally and probably would have really loved it if I had chanced upon it in 1993. But, with the benefit of thirty years' perspective, it's just a bit "so what?"
Fine to listen to, but a little samey, it’s just ok 2/5
Volvemos al ruedo con semana completa y con una banda que me es totalmente desconocida. Me recuerda a los sonidos de la primera época de Stone Temple Pilots pero sobre todo a Sonic Youth (Go Be Delighted es un muy buen ejemplo). Disco crudo, abrasivo, me viene ideal para estos momentos en lo que he vuelto a lo oscuro desde el consumo cultural. Muchas gracias por la recomendeta de este lindo disco. Hasta mañana
me gustaron algunos temas, generalmente las canciones más lentas, muy presente la batería y los bajos
Nur geschrammel
Distortion: The Soundtrack Background music that is so non-distinct that when the album finished and similar bands started playing on Spotify, it lasted about 6 tracks until I realized it wasn't the same album anymore. It's not unpleasant as far as background music is concerned, but that's about it.
Great grunge that I’d never heard of before….
First time I heard them was in a dank basement. The album fits that first listen. It makes me think of dark clubs where it smells of old booze and stale cigarettes. It embodies the shitty places we would hang out. It a decent album, I can see this album turning off some folks. It's gritty and feels dirty. Worth a listen for sure.
Ugh. Really did not like the vocals. Did not make it through the album.
Venus Luxure No.1 Baby From sublime and fascinating yesterday with Scott 4, to dreary and uninspiring with this. I’m sure it's someone’s cup of tea somewhere, but it’s really not mine at all. The band are certainly tight, and there are some occasional interesting moments flickering among the staid one note indie post hardcore monotony, the looped string/keyboard on Go Be Delighted is nice and the restrained drumming and bass on on Get Down are good and the little piano riff on Billy’s One Stop is nice, but nothing can really make up for the fact that, ultimately, every single song is boring and the whole thing just feels utterly pointless and very tedious, with out any sense of dynamism or melodic variation to add any light and shade to all the one dimensional flatness. While it may not be truly horrific it is dull, and subsequently irritating, and there is no reason to ever even think about listening to this again. 👶 Playlist submission: Go Be Delighted
Interestingly I could hear some of Kings of Leon in the opening track 'In Like Flynn', but back when they were good. There is a murky, underground feel to it, driven by the ever-present, heavy, fuzzed bass. The rock riff is pretty pumpin' too. Rather than develop into an explosion of underground rock as I was hoping it peters out pretty much immediately with a procession of sluggish riffs and lyrics which sound like they're being made up on the spot, repeating inconsequential phrases. To prevent too much scrutiny, the singer's diction is appalling, and it's impossible to make out anything but growls, like he's laying down a guide track. The vocals remind me of Giant Sand and the overall effect is dirgey. '7 Seas' is one where they have a bit more conviction and as a result it's one of the best efforts. For the touches of interesting riffs, some tasty bass in places, it noses a two.
Amateur Dentistry, the Musical.
Niet helemaal mijn stijl, het betert in de helft van het album.
I quite liked this. Not over the top. Classified a Indie Rock, it came across more like laid back Thrash Metal.
I didn’t hate it but I’m also not convinced I would recognise any of these tracks if I heard them again. It went in one ear and out the other.
Not interested
OK, I thought I was going to hate this based off the description but was pleasantly surprised! It sounds a bit like discount Alice in Chains, but would rather listen to some sick riffs than some of the other UK shit on this list. 3/5
Venus Luxure No. 1 is a record for girls looking for any kind of balm for complicated times and a desire to act against the oppressive oligarchy of over-reaching and obnoxious boys. It makes one wish that there was a Part 2 so that we could all have something to learn from. Favorites: In Like Flynn, Rockets Are Red, Satin Down, Let Me Come Back, Get Down, Bullet Proof Cupid, Bughouse.
Metaling
zwei bis drei
3.5
Carrying notes of trenchcoat-teenage tough guy, this doesn’t rock hard, carry strong melodies, or have an enlivening touch of otherness. The two-bass set-up earns a nod, though the execution is agitated porridge.
Ooh, a highly-hyped '90s band I never actually heard! Bet it's terrible. And.. it's actually not! I would have wagered on either a grungified-Lemonheads or (shudder) Nancy Boy but instead got some good heavy riffing and propulsive grunting. Not sure it needed two bass players, but diverting nonetheless.
I didn’t get too much out of this one. My ears heard standard 90’s alt fare and not in a great way. Maybe more listens are needed.
Once again, not my speed. Would not seak out 2/5
Hard hitting and unfiltered doom. Love ke so many other songs and albums i like without it feeling like a rip off
This is actually pretty great. Reminds me a lot of Fugazi, soundwise. Lots of energy and more complexity than your typical grunge era thing. sincere, not boring, brings the fuzz.
I don't know, man. I thought that I liked weird music because I used to listen to it a lot just for attention so I kind of learned to like it. But here I am, listening to Bealtes wannabes, blues and all the british punk bands that have ever existed, for more than two years now and my organism still rejects it. How do we come to love the things we love? Why do I feel this "ahh this sounds so much better than that shit from the other day"? Why do people compare this to Sonic Youth and I can't hear even the slightest resemblance? I might already be demented and not even realise this
forgettable
love that the apple music description of this band is stating that they “made hardcore sexy”
It is a heavy record and a hidden gem from the grunge era of the mid-early 90s. It's heavy guitars and punchy drums makes it very noisy, intense, its lyrics puts it all together and it makes you numb until the record ends. Hard to miss when it comes, and enjoyable for any moment, pick any song and it comes to you when you least expect it. Will listen to this many more times.
This was pretty standard stuff for the mid 90s. I don't see a reason to have it on this list. I didn't enjoy it, just commit to singing or don't.
I thought this would be a riot girl band, it was not and it was tough to get through
This guy smokes a lot of cigarettes, looks like someone from Smashmouth, and would beat their wife if they could ever get one. This is bad
Difficult to listen to
Harder than I expected. It's not bad, just not something I often gravitate to.
Nope.
It’s not bad but it all just kind of sounds the same.
I understand that many times to truly appreciate music you have to look at it in context. Looking at what came before informs how the music is changing and responding to what was the current state of culture. Reading a bit into this band and album, it's described as "Post-Hardcore, Post-Grunge, Indie Rock, or Noise Rock." Even trying to place this album into context I couldn't really enjoy it. At best it's monotonous muddy and forgettable, and at worst it just drones on and on with whiney vocals. It never really reaches a level of bad to warrant a 1 star, but I will not soon revisit this album or artist. Standouts: Bullet Proof Cupid (If I had to choose one) Rating: 2/5
9/10… rock-metal / indie
A little interesting. Dual bass in a band is unuasal, but it didn't really come through. Nothing stood out, will not listen again
I suppose that until I come up with my very own list of the 1001 greatest albums, I should stop making comments like "How is THIS one of the 1000 greatest albums of all time?!" Certainly, there has been an effort to include a diversity of musical styles on this list, and this is absolutely a decent example of heavy metal machine-blasted music from the 1990s. I suppose if I had heard it at just the right age in my emotional/musical development, I might even have found myself smitten by it like I was with Shriekback a decade before this came out. But hearing it now leaves me just pretty much "Meh [shrugging emoji]." I don't know. Kind of like Rage Against the Machine without the thoughtfulness or the really terrific guitar shredding?
They need a new singer, ruined
For a post-hardcore and noise rock album, this one’s pretty cool. I’ve listened to Girls Against Boys before, I even owned one of their CDs back in the day, but I don’t remember it sounding quite like this. A lot of people are complaining about it being on the 1001 albums list, and while I kind of agree that it might not belong there, I’d still rather see this on the list than pop albums from the likes of Christina Aguilera. This album isn’t particularly fast for post-hardcore, but it’s raw, dirty, and gritty, with those double bass guitars giving it a thick, low-end sound full of distortion. Even though it’s abrasive and noisy, there’s a strong groove to it. The vocals are monotone and almost spoken word, while the production is rough and gritty, adding to that underground indie rock feel.
Like the Afghan Whigs if they decided to just do down-tuned grinding grunge. Nothing overly special here -- outside of "Kill the Sexplayer," which I enjoy because I loved Clerks.
dull
The album has a cool, heavy sound with intense tracks and a solid groove. The dual bass guitars create a unique, dark foundation, and the overall atmosphere is consistently dark and industrial. But while the sound works well, I miss a bit more variation, especially in the vocals, which tend to feel a bit monotonous over time. 3/5
Bon, je ne connaissais pas le band, je ne connaissais pas le genre (post-hardcore, un sous-genre dans l’histoire de la musique punk), mais j’ai aimé l’écoute de cet album. J’aimerais m’y reprendre une au moins une autre fois, ce qui est bon signe.
Not something that I would seek out again but was a pretty solid album. It got a bit repetitive and seemed like 3 or 4 songs just kind of blurred into 1 song. 6.4/10 113/1001
Gosh what a load of noise! Can’t believe that people pay real money to see this live - it would be even worse!
This album is better than that Scritti Politti Album I reviewed yesterday. I haven't heard anything like "Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby" before. There are still a few problems with this album. Some tracks are more boring than others. "Rockets Are Red" has an amazing riff, making it my favourite from the album. 3 stars for "Venus Luxury No. 1 Baby".
Some surprisingly good songs in here, but ultimately misses the mark of good, complete music.
1.5/5
Girls Against Boys was one of the rules of Len Houmous’ hotel rooms in the 70s and 80s. 1.7 8/11 Bullet Proof Cupid
Not bad. My kinda vibes
First song I already feel like I'm done with listening to this album cliche indie kinda emo sounds where you can't tell the single lyric said bc of too much bass. Go be delighted suck kinda less. All songs are starting to sound kinda same. Okay plot twist Satin down refrain is almost catchy. I honestly don't like it, my harsh but true opinion is that i find this album barely listenable and I'm wondering how it made it on this list.
Usually this kind of noise rock wouldn't be for me, but it's far more intricate and I think this is overlooked. I liked it from the first track. Nothing changed my mind, it continued to entertain me. It's dark and broody.
A distinct lack of Girls. If there is a Venus Luxure No.2 you can count me out.
So boring
Really ok
Not my thing
I think post hardcore is just not it for me, unfortunately
Definitely enjoyed. Added some songs to my playlist
I didn't dislike any of this one, but I also don't remember a single song from the entire album. This makes it a bit hard to review I guess. Standouts - 3/5
Mostly sounds the same, kind of industrial sounding more than anything, a little too noisy for me. I like one of their songs and it's not on this, this isn't something you NEED to listen to.
Not for me
Mudhoney ish.
DNF’d this (can you say that for an album?). It was just profoundly uninteresting to me.
It wasnt as bad as I expected to be honest 3/5
One of those albums where the music sounds pretty good but the vocals are just weak. Rockets Are Red is a head-banger except that the vocals over it sound so bland. Some other examples of this were Let Me Come Back, Learned It, Bullet Proof Cupid. It feels a little disappointing. I can't quite get to a 3, so this lands as a High 2.
The music itself is fine -- crusty erring on the side of sludgy in a grunge-adjacent sort of way. But the vocals are a drag throughout. Dude sounds like he decided to record this after shouting for 72 hours straight; much of his delivery sounds like he is mid-shit straining. I'll say there were points where this was more enjoyable than others (e.g., Rockets Are Red, Learned It, Bughouse) but in general this was sort of just noise in the background. Not specifically bad, but not specifically good either. I'd say this flirts with a 2/3 boundary. Going on the low side of the divide.
Recorded in Baltimore, cool! That was the coolest thing about this grimy drag of an album. The last 10-15 albums have been a rough stretch. Very low 2.
That was indeed music. But it did indeed piss me off to listen to the whole time.
I feel like this guy should not be singing he sounds like something is wrong with his throat. This really didn't do too much for me. The instrumentals were cool at some points going from high energy to brooding, but the vocals over it killed much of it for me.
Sounds like a lot of other songs idk
Like emo grunge and its good. Surprised and impressed. Not quite a 5 though. I could see it being a 5 for some though.
Eh, not really my jam
Flyder der ud af med til tider gode lydflader. Teksterne er noget vrøvl, men fint til en køretur hvor der også kunne snakkes imens.
Hvorfor har jeg aldrig hørt om dem her? Det var en vild oplevelse. Mega fed lyd. Tungt, vildt. Eneste anke er at vokalen ligger meget begravet i lyden. Det er næsten umuligt at høre hvad der synges.
EDITOR: I don’t know, Robert. 1,001 seems like an arbitrary number that’ll be tough to get to. Can’t we just stop at 900-something? ROBERT DIMERY: We need 1,001! We can just add some random ones as filler. EDITOR: Okay. There’s this band Weezer. Their self-titled debut is pretty popular and has that Buddy Holly song people like, and this Pinkerton album has been lauded by critics the world over. Maybe we put one of those in here? ROBERT DIMERY: No way! This crappy Sonic Youth knockoff is way better!
Fairly indicative of where the genre was at the time, and considering this album predates some of NiN and Ministry's sound I wonder if this was an inspiration. Quite an enjoyable disc from a band I never heard of. 3/5
Early 90s punk rock grunge album. Evolving from the nirvana and 80s sounds prior
I enjoyed this
Bit shouty and annoying - not particularly my thing.
It's 46 min 17s I'll never get back. I despised this.
Classic post punk
Did not enjoy this at all. Not my kind of music but also it all sounded exactly the same to me.
Not the biggest fan of metal rock. Didn’t find most songs enjoyable to listen to.
Oli ihan mielenkiintoisia ja hyviä hetkiä ja sitten ei taas niin hyviä.
Warning: driving whilst listening to this record my result in a speeding ticket!
#8 Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby ~ Girls Against Boys So Girls Against Boys is an interesting underground band that fell under the tag of 'post-hardcore' (whatever that means) and like most underground bands, the members came and go every now and then to join other bands, in particular fellow post-hardcore band Fugazi and emo band Rites of Spring. It was with Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby that a solid lineup was founded. Music-wise, it's incredibly sludgy and muddy and average, more or less what you expect from post-hardcore production. Quite interesting though is the use of two bass guitars, and I commend such unusual ideas. The vocals are pretty average, a very whispery, hazy voice that can grow up into a growl when required, more or less what you expect from an underground ground. Lyrics its all very faux-sexy like a cheesy 90s B-film. And this is where I'm stumped, because this sounds like a very competent band that has style, but barely any of the songs feel quite memorable for 2/3 of the album until you reach Bulletproof Cupid, and then I felt some semblance of a jump. Maybe a good cookup and more thought for the first half can make this album more worthwhile, but like the lyrical tone, I just feel a general sense of apathy for the album in general. Nothing very offensive about this album, just very meh. Bulletproof Cupid and 7 Seas really help this album reach the conclusion. Verdict ~ Stuck in the underground.
22/06/2025 There was nothing special about it.
Never heard of these guys until this album. I thought this was a pretty good, enjoyable album. Listened a few times and even checked out some of their other material, which was pretty decent as well. Album kept my attention all the way through even felt myself vibing out to a few songs. A few of the songs that stood out were In Like Flynn, Rockets Are Red, Let Me Come Back Billy's One Stop and 7 Seas. The "Uh huh, Uh huh Uh huh" sticks in your head! Liked the album, nothing really great, but overall a pretty solid album I enjoyed my listens. Much like Soft Boys, will probably take some time to dive deeper in their material. Good gym album too! 3.5
3.5 I wasn’t really sure what to expect out of this album with the genre listed as “post-hardcore”. Like, I barely know what classifies as post-punk half the time, is this just New Order, but mosh-able? Turns out, yeah, it sort of is. It’s heavy, but catchy; melodic, but grungy (certainly a product of 1993). Hell, there even seemed to be some early traces of post-grunge and nu metal in there that I really wanted to hate but couldn’t bring myself to. So, I guess that’s to say I found this to be a pretty good album. I really dug the overall ambience created within the production, though, at the same time, it’s also very same-y, to the point where I didn’t even realize songs had switched over half the time - which isn’t helped by the general lack of substance in the lyrics. Like, yes, you could argue that this flows well, but there’s just not really a ton of twists and turns to keep the ride exciting. That said, I did walk away with a few favorite tracks, those being In Like Flynn, Rockets are Red, and Learned It, though I couldn’t really tell you why exactly I like them more - I think their choruses might be a bit more catchy? I’m not exactly sure why this album made this list (unless it truly is because of its influence on post-grunge and nu metal, in which case I’m forcing myself to resist from docking it points), but I had an enjoyable time with it. I can’t say this made me into a huge Girls Against Boys fan, but they’ve probably earned themself a spot or two in the musical rotation.
Well, I loved this. It's hard and heavy, but it's melodic and smartly atonal at the right times and in the right ways. The double-bass approach sings, grinds, thrums. The vocals and lyrics are subdued and strong. A few degrees to either side on any of this, and it wouldn't work for me. But I was bobbing my head and digging the groove - crucially, it shakes its ass, which is all but a requirement for my musical taste. This is way out of my wheelhouse, and I dig it.
apparently this is post-hardcore but it sounds more industrial to me? sounds a lot more like nine inch nails or fear factory than fugazi or something but idk lmao i'm probably wrong. anyway I have no idea what this is but it's kinda mid. favorite song: "bullet proof cupid" overall: 5/10
Third tier boring Nirvana
Oh just fuck right off with this shite.
Our House is my favorite
Really tried with this album but the vocals give me fatigue.
Well, my mom asked me to turn it off in the car because it was “disturbing, distorted, and weirdly quiet,” and also “bad.” So obviously this gives it at least one extra star. I feel like this album has some potential. To blow up a Winchell’s? No, but still kinda cool. I’d revisit it.
There were brief occasions where I thought this album could turn into something I'd enjoy, but they quickly drifted away and the album never really went anywhere. Also, the band biography on Spotify says that the vocals are reminiscent of Mark E. Smith which is a fucking bizarre statement to make.
Pretty harsh. Liked it a lot. It had a real hard hitting sound that grabbed me right away. The singer could have been better imo. But it just reminded me a bit of Cobain, which isn’t necessarily bad. Definitely a band I am going to come back to. Top tracks: “In Like Flynn,” “Rockets Are Red,” “Bullet Propf Cupid,” “7 Seas,” “Bughouse,”
Unlike the Icarus Line (also post hardcore), this is a strong 4. Also a thumpy bass but the heavy guitar and drums to go with it sound just right. Flawed vocals, but the raspy gnarls also fit the heavy sound. Surprised I'd never heard of them for a 90's band, but I dug the sound from the get go with In Like Flynn. Brendan Canty may have wanted Girls Against Boys to sound different than his other stuff, like Fugazi, but it has some overlap for sure - even though Canty was gone by this time. The album still has it's its own charms though. And while the album dipped from time to time, other favorites were Go Be Delighted, Let Me Come Back, Bullet Proof Cupid, and Billy's One Stop.
The good - cool 90s alternative sludgy grooves. The bad - a bit too much noise in the guitar sounds and the singer is too far back in the mix most of the time. Grooved to it, but it was a little much sometimes. I'd call it a 3.5 and I'll round it up because it definitely had me bopping. Favorite tracks: Go Be Delighted, Rockets are Red, Bulletproof Cupid.
not exactly my type. all sound the same. I guess its the style. different, but probably i will not be hearing again
Noisy, edgy, heavy Sounds with atrocious, scratchy and monotone vocals making it Post-Hardcore.
I sound like m grandmother, but this was just noise
While I do hold a certain nostalgic fondness for that early ‘90s sound it’s not really my jam and this in particular didn't do much else for me.
A good record that can run in the background and does not annoy. But unfortunately that’s it. I was missing some hits here.
Some good tracks here
This was alright still
I listened to this album 3 times, and yet I had to check the reviews to clarify what genre I was listening to. It seems like it falls under the Post-hardcore umbrella and I have to agree, as it releis on the heavy production and the hard hitting riffs and drums... But I think this album is just decent. I would even say that the most redeeming aspect is the quality of the sound and some catchy riffs here and there, as all the songs feel and sound the same, without doing anything very interesting. Overall, I think it is decent.
Pretty fucking banging, if a little samey. Not quite a four.
This isn't anything earth shattering, but I don't think it's trying to be. I enjoyed the walls of sound, droning grooves, 90s goth club energy, and the fact that it didn't actually feel 'stuck' in the 90s, like a lot of 90s music sounds. They're a bridge from Fugazi to Interpol. Two bass guitars! I'm a fan.
Kind of run of the mill 90s rock. Not bad per se.
90s indie rock. Sounds a bit like Manson. Rough and edgy. Noise rock well done.
I dig some of the riffs on this. The vocals really don’t do it for me though.
LAME
A great band searching for a singer. Lots of crunchy riffs with power and zest badly spoiled by that distorted noise coming from the lead singer. 7 Seas is a classic example. That song is fun and you can hear good musical lyrics wrecked. 5- star band with a 1-star singer.
Probably 3/5
Жестковато. Для определённого настроения, в плане разнообразия пойдёт. 5 из 10.
Punk/ alternative music. Not great music.
Girls against Boys was an alt-rock, post-hardcore band from DC. They began as a studio side project for Fugazi member Brendan Canty and bassist Eli Jenney. Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby is the second studio album from the group, and the first after they moved to the Touch and Go label. These are edgy, guitar driven, 90s punk songs - or perhaps more appropriately, post-punk songs. This is a good album from a band that could have been more famous; they have songs - like "7 Seas" - that could have been pop hits. The band provides a great example of the harder side of 90s alt rock.
Eh.
I had never heard of Girls Against Boys before, but this was a really great sound and I enjoyed the hell out of it. The genre was pretty close to right up my alley and I really dug it. Lots of melodic crunchy guitars, cool aloof vocals and just a loud, funky sound that I loved. I listened to it twice -- five stars.
Totally fine 90s indie rock. I didn't really notice it when it came out, and I don't feel I missed much
New artist for me, really liked what I heard! Great mix of heavy, grungy, gritty rock. Will definitely be looking into their catalog
Mediocre is too positive a word for this album. There's nothing special about this alt-rock collection. Move along now, nothing to see here.
3/5
Boring
DNF. Couldn’t get into it.
Not truly terrible, perhaps, but not my thing.
maybe 2 stars, but c couldn’t take any much more than the first two tracks and turned it off
Excellent music for establishing an atmosphere. Mumbling, heavy instrumentals, kinda monotonous and gloomy. If you're running an RPG set in the mid-ninties, play this to establish the mood! I found it dull, yet inoffensive.
This was just okay to me.
not for me. too hard rock screaming
Completely unfamiliar, an interesting mix of influences - primarily the DC (post)hardcore scene and the alternative movement of the 90s. Two bass players gives the whole thing a groove too. Will return to it.
Day499 - sometimes i question why some albums are on this list. when no one’s heard of it there must have been a reason
liked this. Very 90s, but in a good way. Will listen again.
The distorted vocals just ruin this.
Girls against boys paved the way for girls who like boys and boys who like girls.
A sonically pretty dark post-hardcore album, which is usually not my thing, but this one managed to capture me with its satisfying rhythmic riffs and great drumming. Pretty much every song made me nod along to the rhythm, which is more than most albums can do. I really like when the drums are mixed so forward, especially when they're this good (Spiderland moment). I wish more rock records did that. Despite the sombre tone, this album still has a great deal of energy and is pretty engaging. I thought it was going to become stale after a while (which is what usually happens with dark post-hardcore, in my experience), but the atmosphere here was great and it stayed fun the whole time. This is a kind of record you put on high volume without much hesitation and enjoy the ride. I don't think there's a song that particularly stands out on this record. None of them are exceptional, but the average quality is very high.
Totally uninspiring 90's twaddle. There were ahundeed band producing this kind of rubbish in the 90's this is just another one. Didn't hear of them at the time and not to be heard of since.
Never heard of them, and there’s nothing on here that hasn’t been done better by countless others.
I liked this up to a point, it's on Touch and Go records, which is a good thing. But it sounded like safe, by numbers U.S. hardcore, you could smell the influences from a distance of at least a mile away. If I had been a mile a way I wouldn't have heard it. The best way I can get my feelings across would be to describe this as a bunch of Big Black wannabees who had the smack over the head clout of Black Lace.
If it wasn't for the fact that this was an early representative of post-hardcore, I'd say this is a fairly run of the mill post-punk/hardcore record. But given its time and place, this is actually pretty cool.
After being immersed in the fuzz for long enough, you can start to feel the layers of what's going on here. Following some of the earliest Post-Rock that hit the scene, you can find the creative depths of post-hardcore falling into place
Solid rock no flaws.
I don't know exactly why, but everything about this album sounds extremely fake.
Starts off pretty cool - the rough vocals didn't even bother me at first, but then it starts getting dirgy and plodding and kind of unpleasant. Any lyrics I could understand, I don't know what they mean. A low 3/5.
This was some pretty decent noise rock. Nothing really stood out to me but also I didn't dislike it. I probably need to give it another listen. I listened while working and work has been busy. But I guess that says the kind of album it was. It didn't annoy me but it also didn't make me stop and look at which song was playing.
This was rad! Very post punk almost proto-grunge? I like the aggressive heavy dullness of it. It has all of the elements of things that interest me about hardcore music: raw energy, heavy production, minor keys and low notes. I've never heard this, but I enjoyed it!
hate the vocals leider
Fuck that it's cancer to my ears
Not bad, but also not incredible good.
I had a vague awareness of these guys from the "Series 7: The Contenders" soundtrack, but this is totally the kind of stuff I would have loved at the time. Why is Washington DC so interesting musically?
Pretty much all songs I could expect to hear on the alt rock station but none I would stay for.
I did not enjoy this.
I have to give this album 5 stars, as it is by one of my favorite bands ever, one of my favorite "genres," and it represents a musical approach very underrepresented on this list - that of American independent bands that were intent on making something fresh, challenging, and didn't care about success or popularity. It's always hard for me to pick a favorite album by Girls Against Boys. It probably is not this one, but they made a few albums that all compete, including this one.