David Koresh Superstar

Giving this LP brownie points as a Texan, turning the Waco standoff into a concept album is such a great idea and the execution (plus many mentions of towns I’ve spent time in) made a bizarre, tragic footnote in history into a gripping musical experience. Not usually one for narrative lyricism, but The Indelicates have a knack for character-based songwriting that offers plenty of personality without toeing the line into Broadway-level shmaltz. The instrumentals pull in just enough folk and indie elements to feel fresh, and the production is unobtrusive and clean. One of those albums that made me sit up and pay attention while listening, didn’t expect to get so invested but this was a cool (and worthwhile) add to the list for sure.

David Koresh Superstar is a concept album by English indie band The Indelicates about the Waco siege. Most of the lyrics are told from the perspective of Koresh, his followers or the police. The music is the musical take on pop, rock, disco. It's ok, but not very interesting. The idea to do something with this subject is not a bad idea, the musical format does not feel appropriate though.

I rolled my eyes and wanted to skip this, but I persevered and was completely blown away by how impressive this is! Incredible. I was worried that this would come off wrong… but to the contrary this was quite an intriguing listen that had me thinking a lot. Bravo!

I thought this would be eye rollingly edgy or cringeworthy sort of winky. But it’s actually very earnest and quite good? It sort of is transcendent and earns its big ending. What a treat

The concept of this sort of irritated me. Koresh was a child raping con artist peice of shit who could have prevented every single death that happened in the Waco raid, however criminally the government botched it. English musicians cosplaying Texans for this gag on Webber's rock opera doesn't make it any more endearing. Aside from the overall unsavory presentation, as an album of music it is well executed.

This is good on paper and okay! in my ears

I didn’t really enjoy this album, but I found the underlying concept interesting, thought-provoking and, at times, horrifying. I do appreciate that from art though, music doesn’t always have to be about entertainment; sometimes it can make you think, even if you don’t particularly like it. Wow, reading that back… has this project made me unbearable?

What a concept eh

An interesting topic for a concept album. I don't think these were the right people to do it. It's also too musically at some points. It's not bad just... an interesting choice. My personal rating: 3/5 My rating relative to the list: 3/5 Should this have been included on the original list? No.

Why? David Koresh... Waco.... Not interested The music is fine. Definitely would not listen to again because of the subject and content. 2.5

This is an okay rock-opera 3*

Alright

Why?

This is a 3 but knocked down to a 2 because of how they pronounced "Houston". In all seriousness, while a neat concept album (and a topic close to where I live), it just didn't have any re-listenability to me which is a requirement for a 3 in my book.

Nerdy folk rock opera about the 1993 Waco Siege. They call it a concept album because that sure is a concept alright. More musically flat and uninteresting than I expected. Seems like this is more of a lyrics band and that's fine, but I feel like a dramatic real-life story like the Waco Siege deserves a much more dramatic musical spin than the pretty generic folk pop that most of these songs end up being. Not something I'd personally ever return to, but a cool oddity on paper. Fanbase also seems really dedicated, because this is not a band you'd expect to have an entire college essay length Wikipedia article.

I think the world is a better place without an album dedicated to the David Koresh story. 1/5

So dumb.