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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
For all of you that remember Steve Harley and his Cockney Rebel group from the hit single 'Make me Smile', its worth looking back at the groups very first Album The Human Menagerie which has been given a welcome release to help those of us that have worn our old Cassette. This has sentimental value for me...the first Pop LP that I ever purchased on my 17th birthday. It still resonates today as one of the finest and most original collection of songs from the 70's.
Cockney Rebel stood out by using a violin as its lead instrument, replacing the electric guitar. The effect gives each of the songs a rebellious gypsy like feel to each of tracks, complemented by the twinkling electric piano, and Harley's strange emotive voice.
The tracks are all melodic and facinatingly original, with the stand-out tracks being the emotive 'Loretta's Tale' and the Rip-roaring 'Crazy Raver' and 'Muriel the Actor'.
The track 'Sebastian'was a huge hit in Europe when it was released. Propelled by Harley's cry 'Somebody called me Sebastian' and backed by the full power of an Orchestra and Chior Its true that 'they don't make songs like this anymore'!
The most astounding piece of music is reserved for the final track 'DEATH TRIP' A 10 minute epic, it has Harley singing about death and the solution of teenage revolution. The Ochestra kicks in as Harley sings 'can you think of one good reason to remain?'
After this, some swirling dangerous violins take us into the second part of this song, where Harley sings about Sweet Ipomoea and Children at war...We then have a simple tune-right out of the classics- though I guess its original- played on the piano, and then given the classic build up with orchestral and then Chior as the tune develops to a crescendo worthy of Beethovan. There is then a mouth-dropping drum roll and violin climax which builds and builds which then gives way to Harleys conclusion to the song. Its as close to perfection as one can get.
Along with Bowie's Ziggy Stardust, this has got to be one of the essential CD's from the 70's, and its too bad that this is one of the most overlooked.
Cockney Rebel stood out by using a violin as its lead instrument, replacing the electric guitar. The effect gives each of the songs a rebellious gypsy like feel to each of tracks, complemented by the twinkling electric piano, and Harley's strange emotive voice.
The tracks are all melodic and facinatingly original, with the stand-out tracks being the emotive 'Loretta's Tale' and the Rip-roaring 'Crazy Raver' and 'Muriel the Actor'.
The track 'Sebastian'was a huge hit in Europe when it was released. Propelled by Harley's cry 'Somebody called me Sebastian' and backed by the full power of an Orchestra and Chior Its true that 'they don't make songs like this anymore'!
The most astounding piece of music is reserved for the final track 'DEATH TRIP' A 10 minute epic, it has Harley singing about death and the solution of teenage revolution. The Ochestra kicks in as Harley sings 'can you think of one good reason to remain?'
After this, some swirling dangerous violins take us into the second part of this song, where Harley sings about Sweet Ipomoea and Children at war...We then have a simple tune-right out of the classics- though I guess its original- played on the piano, and then given the classic build up with orchestral and then Chior as the tune develops to a crescendo worthy of Beethovan. There is then a mouth-dropping drum roll and violin climax which builds and builds which then gives way to Harleys conclusion to the song. Its as close to perfection as one can get.
Along with Bowie's Ziggy Stardust, this has got to be one of the essential CD's from the 70's, and its too bad that this is one of the most overlooked.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
"I listen to those old songs..." Steve said to us in concert the other night, "and I think...what drugs was he on?"
I waited years for this album. Seriously, I already had the other eight and was a Harley fanatic, it was just this one that wasn't available. Only a few months ago, when I walked into HMV, did I see it.
I'm happy to say that it's one of his strongest album; the songs each have their own distinctive flavour - a feature which so many albums miss out on. The new sleeve notes give added value to the overall package. The first Cockney Rebel was an exceptional band of musicians, heavily influenced from the folk circuit, hence the choice of electric violin as lead instrument.
It's not quite pop or the glam rock which Harley would later become famous for, but it's more advanced than folk, and the lyrics have a biographical edge which sets it all off. From his sneering voice you would never expect Harley's works to have as much finesse as they do, but then there is Sebastian and Death Trip, both recorded with full orchestras which enhance the songs' power.
Harley claims that the three record deal he signed with EMI gave him and the band plenty of time to develop. From listening to this record, you can see what he means.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This was Steve Harley and Cockney Rebels' first album - originally released in 1973. Cockney Rebel was a glam-rock act ; somewhere between David Bowie and Doctor's of Madness. At least their first 3 albums were really great; from then Harley's songwriting seemed to be somewhat exhausted.
This album, probably their most consistent, contains their first classic single "Sebastian", which was a hit record in several countries, though never made it to the top 20 in Britain. The song may appear a little dated today ( maybe because of its 7 minutes playing time ) - but their follow up single "Judy Teen", which on some versions of the album is included as a bonus-track, is still among my favourite Rebel songs.
The album contains many great tracks; both ballads and rockers - quite impressive considering that this was their debut-album. Songs like "Hideaway", "Loretta's Tale" and "Mirror Freak" have obvious hit-potential. "My Only Vice" and "Muriel the Actor" are simply charming tracks.
"Death Trip", like Sebastian, is an ambitious piece of work, with a lot of inspiration from classical music.
A great album!
This album, probably their most consistent, contains their first classic single "Sebastian", which was a hit record in several countries, though never made it to the top 20 in Britain. The song may appear a little dated today ( maybe because of its 7 minutes playing time ) - but their follow up single "Judy Teen", which on some versions of the album is included as a bonus-track, is still among my favourite Rebel songs.
The album contains many great tracks; both ballads and rockers - quite impressive considering that this was their debut-album. Songs like "Hideaway", "Loretta's Tale" and "Mirror Freak" have obvious hit-potential. "My Only Vice" and "Muriel the Actor" are simply charming tracks.
"Death Trip", like Sebastian, is an ambitious piece of work, with a lot of inspiration from classical music.
A great album!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
One of the best albums in the last 35 years!
I owned this since my teen's in vinyl and now I founded after a long search here to amazon.co.uk. A great music from names with a long story, good musicians but not well known. Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2010 by Stavros A. Rizis
My Only Vice is ....
The Human Menagerie. The first Cockney Rebel album to come our way hot on the heels of the Judy Teen single. What magical sounds, who were these guys, what's it all about? Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2009 by Miki D
Human Menagerie....of Cockney Rebel!
Kitsch, colourful, innocence of youth, poetic, new! This album is bright and breezy.....full of Harley nuances. The poet, the Artist... Read more
Published on 8 Dec 2007 by tomba
Nostalgia Plays Tricks
Not as good as I remember back in the good old days, but "Sebastian" is still sublime as is "Death Trip". Buy some form of "Best Of".
Published on 2 Aug 2004 by "bluemusicmitch"
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