- Audio CD (26 Jan 1995)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Sequel
- ASIN: B000024GVN
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 380,057 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Hard on the heels of the last Soft Boys album proper, 'Underwater Moonlight', Hitchcock's first solo outing sees a move towards a more pronounced pop sensibility, coupled with an increasingly waspish lyrical content. Most of the songs remain guitar driven, with the bright sound of telecasters still to the fore, but the Barrett-esque whimsy is leavened with a healthy dose of (the then-recently departed) Lennon's sneer.
'Brenda's Iron Sledge', 'I Watch The Cars', 'Meat' and 'Out Of The Picture' all rattle along most satisfactorily (with Kimberley Rew and Knox of the Vibrators contributing some splendid guitar along the way), and all offer more or less cynical, sidelong takes on the world; 'Do Policemen Sing' is a withering ode to the enforcers of Law and Order in the early '80s that is just as pertinent today;'The Lizard' glides along darkly as Robyn deconstructs Jim Morrison with grim pleasure; the psychedelic 'Acid Bird', although ostensibly an idyllic remembrance of things past has its undercurrents of sadness and lost opportunities; and even closing track 'Love' has its bitter twists.
Of the extra tracks, a few are worth mentioning too. 'A Skull, A Suitcase & A Long Red Bottle Of Wine' is a sombre yet pleasing meditation on mortality, 'It Was The Night' drifts close to the psych realm again, 'I Watch The Cars 2' is a slowed down almost heavy rock version of the original, and 'All I Wanna Do Is Fall In Love' is positively wistful.
But the contrasts on show are all part and parcel of Hitchcock's inimitable musical style and philosophical take on life, delivered with passion and conviction, and splendidly played throughout. The songs are all excellent, with a broad pallette of well crafted tunes and, as said, lyrics which are razorlike in their observations, and it remains a real pleasure to listen to. I think its a brilliant little album, and would recommend it to all who are interested in exploring Hitchcock's back catalog.
'Brenda's Iron Sledge', 'I Watch The Cars', 'Meat' and 'Out Of The Picture' all rattle along most satisfactorily (with Kimberley Rew and Knox of the Vibrators contributing some splendid guitar along the way), and all offer more or less cynical, sidelong takes on the world; 'Do Policemen Sing' is a withering ode to the enforcers of Law and Order in the early '80s that is just as pertinent today;'The Lizard' glides along darkly as Robyn deconstructs Jim Morrison with grim pleasure; the psychedelic 'Acid Bird', although ostensibly an idyllic remembrance of things past has its undercurrents of sadness and lost opportunities; and even closing track 'Love' has its bitter twists.
Of the extra tracks, a few are worth mentioning too. 'A Skull, A Suitcase & A Long Red Bottle Of Wine' is a sombre yet pleasing meditation on mortality, 'It Was The Night' drifts close to the psych realm again, 'I Watch The Cars 2' is a slowed down almost heavy rock version of the original, and 'All I Wanna Do Is Fall In Love' is positively wistful.
But the contrasts on show are all part and parcel of Hitchcock's inimitable musical style and philosophical take on life, delivered with passion and conviction, and splendidly played throughout. The songs are all excellent, with a broad pallette of well crafted tunes and, as said, lyrics which are razorlike in their observations, and it remains a real pleasure to listen to. I think its a brilliant little album, and would recommend it to all who are interested in exploring Hitchcock's back catalog.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Robyn Hitchcock's the type of artist whose entire output you want to hear if you like the first album you try. Every track is different, yet intriguing. This, his first solo effort from the early 1980s, is the sound of a man who seems oblivious to the change in fashion from new wave to new romantic. He absorbs what goes on around him, but channels it into his own musical vision: wry, witty, always vivid songs encased in melodic music and a multitude of arrangements.
Featuring contributions from former members of new wave-era bands such as The Vibrators and Bruce Woolley and the Camera Club, as well as his previous band, The Soft Boys, this is incisive, guitar-oriented pop. The stand-out tracks are 'The Lizard', a suitably reptilian performance, 'Acid Bird' and 'Love'. The last-named track starts out like a typically sentimental song, ('The sun is shining on the ground') but soon develops a typically strange slant and is the only song I know that mentions Weetabix.
A mention should be made of the rhythm section, Matthew Seligman and Vince Ely, who give the music a solid and imaginative kick. The eight bonus tracks are not much less impressive than the album proper and show Hitchcock borrowing several different styles, from acoustic guitar and harmonica on 'Give Me A Spanner, Ralph', to the ersatz disco/funk of 'Grooving On A Inner Plane'. The only track I'm not keen on is the Jackanory-style 'Happy The Golden Prince' which closes the album. Otherwise, it's superb.
Featuring contributions from former members of new wave-era bands such as The Vibrators and Bruce Woolley and the Camera Club, as well as his previous band, The Soft Boys, this is incisive, guitar-oriented pop. The stand-out tracks are 'The Lizard', a suitably reptilian performance, 'Acid Bird' and 'Love'. The last-named track starts out like a typically sentimental song, ('The sun is shining on the ground') but soon develops a typically strange slant and is the only song I know that mentions Weetabix.
A mention should be made of the rhythm section, Matthew Seligman and Vince Ely, who give the music a solid and imaginative kick. The eight bonus tracks are not much less impressive than the album proper and show Hitchcock borrowing several different styles, from acoustic guitar and harmonica on 'Give Me A Spanner, Ralph', to the ersatz disco/funk of 'Grooving On A Inner Plane'. The only track I'm not keen on is the Jackanory-style 'Happy The Golden Prince' which closes the album. Otherwise, it's superb.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Hadn't heard this in 20 years, since losing my vinyl copy.
This comes with a couple of extra tracks that are deinitely worth the listen.
Standouts are the moody Acid Bird, and stomping Brenda's Iron Sledge:
"All aboard Brenda's iron sledge
Please don't call me Reg
It's not my name.."
Although credited as a solo outing, this is basically the last Soft Boys LP.
This comes with a couple of extra tracks that are deinitely worth the listen.
Standouts are the moody Acid Bird, and stomping Brenda's Iron Sledge:
"All aboard Brenda's iron sledge
Please don't call me Reg
It's not my name.."
Although credited as a solo outing, this is basically the last Soft Boys LP.
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