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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
This all-girl band of post-punk pioneers briefly enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the early 1990s, thanks to Kurt Cobain's championing of them on the sleeve-notes of Nevermind, and a subsequent tour with Nirvana. This 1979 album, reissued in 1993, is a timely reminder of their unique sound and influence. A triumph of lo-fi amateurism over musicianship, the Raincoats took as their blueprint sound a harsh blend of clashing guitar, shrill violin and ramshackle drumming; but could still fashion songs of the most heart-breaking beauty out of such crude materials. Like Gang of Four and other proto-political punk bands of the late 1970s, the Raincoats would frequently employ a fierce political agenda, with songs such as "The Professionals", which angrily tells of soldiers raping girls. Elsewhere, "Fairytale In A Supermarket" is extraordinarily emotional; while a cover of The Kink's "Lola" sung by two girls flirts with sexual ambiguity. Their cult status is assured. --Amber Cowan
Product Description
CD Rough Trade, R3022, 1993 11 Track
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Leukos Korax
Format:Audio CD
How have I lived without this album for so long (ever since my original copy walked)? All right, some (post) punk bands adopted a veneer of amateurishness because it was that moment, but for the Raincoats, this is the way they HAD to sound. The Velvets with Nico are probably the closest comparison (and the Joy Division of 'Atrocity Museum') - same spare, lo-fi, 'can't be bothered to play or sing too precisely' - but in the end Raincoats are unique and utterly authentic. The sound of slightly odd, original, transparently sincere people making the music that they believe in without calculating for a moment its potential commercial appeal or likely effect on the uptight, the hidebound, and other waders in the mainstream is always refreshing; when the band is as quirky and funny and honest as the Raincoats it's endearing and faith-reviving as well. In a dark dead-end alley in a deserted former industrial district of Sheffield there's a facility with no sign on the door; inside, people who don't get bands like this are exposed to a continuous loop of old John Peel programmes until they attain Zen enlightenment. They get a free copy of 'Can't Stand the Rezillos' when they check out.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By William J. Walker
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
Any one seeking 'perfectly crafted pop perfection' can look away now because this album provides music that is energetically wild, and chaotic, bordering on the ramshackle. But that's the point; It's supposed to be like that!
The album was, perhaps, best known for the cover of 'Lola', before Kurt Cobain and Kim Gordon heaped praised on them in the early '90s, but that is just one of the highlights the album, and it is after that track that the album really get interesting as a slower more Velvets/art rock vibe is introduced. The use of scratchy violin lends a manic punk-folk edge to some of the tunes and there is an surprisingly complex mixture of musical styles here. It isn't perfect, but music like this isn't about perfection.
If I had to compare it to anyone, I would say maybe, The Slits or Gang of Four.
At the time of writing, this album was unavailable on Amazon but I discovered that it(and all the other Raincoats Albums)can be obtained(new!)from the Rough Trade shop(by post or online)and for sensible money. So go on, treat yourself.
The album was, perhaps, best known for the cover of 'Lola', before Kurt Cobain and Kim Gordon heaped praised on them in the early '90s, but that is just one of the highlights the album, and it is after that track that the album really get interesting as a slower more Velvets/art rock vibe is introduced. The use of scratchy violin lends a manic punk-folk edge to some of the tunes and there is an surprisingly complex mixture of musical styles here. It isn't perfect, but music like this isn't about perfection.
If I had to compare it to anyone, I would say maybe, The Slits or Gang of Four.
At the time of writing, this album was unavailable on Amazon but I discovered that it(and all the other Raincoats Albums)can be obtained(new!)from the Rough Trade shop(by post or online)and for sensible money. So go on, treat yourself.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
If you love punk then you should check this album out. One of the best all female bands ever. Sadly out of print this gem will grow on you.
By C. Sutton
Format:Audio CD
It sounds like they had never played their instruments before. but don't let that fool you. The whole thing has a lopsided charm to it. There are plenty of hooks and neat ideas here, and the passion of vocalists Ana De Silva and Gina Birch is evident straight away.
As said by another reviewer, if you are looking for a well-recorded, precisely played and professional band then forget it. Don't even bother, you won't like it. However, if your looking for some originality and a bit of fun then give it a go.
The sound frequently contains varied percussion and instruments, although to say they sound like VU just because they have use a violin now and again is misleading. Perhaps a less aggressive Sleater-Kinney?
Highlights for me include Fairy Tale in the Supermarket, No Side to Fall In, Adventures Close to Home, Black and White (seems to be missing of this edition?) and Lola.
As said by another reviewer, if you are looking for a well-recorded, precisely played and professional band then forget it. Don't even bother, you won't like it. However, if your looking for some originality and a bit of fun then give it a go.
The sound frequently contains varied percussion and instruments, although to say they sound like VU just because they have use a violin now and again is misleading. Perhaps a less aggressive Sleater-Kinney?
Highlights for me include Fairy Tale in the Supermarket, No Side to Fall In, Adventures Close to Home, Black and White (seems to be missing of this edition?) and Lola.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
what the 1 star guy forgot to mention was his/her lack of taste in music. the raincoats, like the slits, put their own feminist twist on punk, creating not just their own style but a whole new genre i.e pre riot grrrl. its fun, danceable and its got a great cover of the kinks lola on it. also highly recommended (even above this one!) is the kitchen tapes.
6 of 59 people found the following review helpful
By Dr Zen
Format:Audio CD
What the Amazon reviewer forgot to mention is that it's entirely unlistenable. It sounds like a small pack of angry children are fighting outside a school-age band's first rehearsal. Would have been entirely forgotten had Cobain not tipped them, as though he was any judge.
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