The Album Review Club - Week #194 (page 1303) - Ants From Up There - Black Country, New Road

BlueHammer85 said:
Number 2 - Pop Will Eat Itself , English rock band 80/90's
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Yes, thanks. Thought I'd recognise it when somebody said it. Just couldn't work out the acronymn.

From Wikipedia:

"Grebo artists and fans sported long hair, dreadlocks and baggy shorts"

It makes it easier to picture Foggy now.
 
RobMCFC said:
I enjoyed reading your review as usual, even if I didn't agree with all of it.

In order to further broaden my musical knowledge:-
1. What's a grebo band?
2. What's PWEI?
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As @BlueHammer85 wrote above, and grebo was the style PWEI semi-invented in the late 1980s -- quasi-hip-hop over metal guitar, but mixed with a lot of electronica, found sounds, etc. Not especially socially forward-thinking; almost science-fiction like in some ways lyrically.

Thanks for the kind words. I enjoy everyone's reviews too, regardless of whether I agree. That's what's great about this thread. We can offer different opinions but the love of music is binding and universal. Plus it's so fun to listen to classics you've missed, or old favo(u)rites, or new music you don't know. Still jacked about that Dylan zydeco record on the other thread which I really enjoyed and on its face I would NEVER have listened to otherwise.
 
I can't approach 1/100th of Fog's writing ability so breaking off a review in that mode doesn't make sense for me.

I will say that I have several thousand tracks from my lifetime of music fandom playing on random shuffle often.

Sometimes something from the 90s comes on and I'm like 'cool, good memories associated, etc.'

But when "People of the Sun" or "Down Rodeo" or "Bulls on Parade" come on that shit gets turned up to volume 30. Today. I can't think of much else from the sounds of my misspent twenties that engenders such a reaction.

Great band - I connected with them as a punk/metal/hip-hop fan. Like Zack I'm part Mexican. Went big for the political side as well. "Bullet in the Head" still nicely describes my attitude toward corporate America and the establishment in general.

So a 10/10 for me
 
I mentioned I used to hear this coming out of my lads bedroom very loud. I didn’t like it then at all. I have listened to it through a couple of times which for me was above and beyond because I have to say I don’t just dislike it, I absolutely hate it. I’m not a great fan of heavy metal and I really don’t like rap so that not a good place to start from.
I tried guys, honestly I tried. I can see they have a pretty tight rhythm section and you tell me that the lyrics are worthy and meaningful but I just hear the vocalist shouting and swearing accompanying sabbath type riffs. I won’t say any more as I really don’t want to upset those that value it.
1 out of 10 Just because I didn’t want to give anything zero.
 
RobMCFC said:
Yes, thanks. Thought I'd recognise it when somebody said it. Just couldn't work out the acronymn.

From Wikipedia:

"Grebo artists and fans sported long hair, dreadlocks and baggy shorts"

It makes it easier to picture Foggy now.
Click to expand...
Ha ha. You'd just as soon see me with a green and yellow scarf and zebra pants!
 
Saddleworth2 said:
I mentioned I used to hear this coming out of my lads bedroom very loud. I didn’t like it then at all. I have listened to it through a couple of times which for me was above and beyond because I have to say I don’t just dislike it, I absolutely hate it. I’m not a great fan of heavy metal and I really don’t like rap so that not a good place to start from.
I tried guys, honestly I tried. I can see they have a pretty tight rhythm section and you tell me that the lyrics are worthy and meaningful but I just hear the vocalist shouting and swearing accompanying sabbath type riffs. I won’t say any more as I really don’t want to upset those that value it.
1 out of 10 Just because I didn’t want to give anything zero.
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I don't think you'd upset anyone. If metal and hip-hop are both non-starters there's no way this can appeal.
 
Saddleworth2 said:
I mentioned I used to hear this coming out of my lads bedroom very loud. I didn’t like it then at all. I have listened to it through a couple of times which for me was above and beyond because I have to say I don’t just dislike it, I absolutely hate it. I’m not a great fan of heavy metal and I really don’t like rap so that not a good place to start from.
I tried guys, honestly I tried. I can see they have a pretty tight rhythm section and you tell me that the lyrics are worthy and meaningful but I just hear the vocalist shouting and swearing accompanying sabbath type riffs. I won’t say any more as I really don’t want to upset those that value it.
1 out of 10 Just because I didn’t want to give anything zero.
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It's a fair review mate - this was never going to sing to everyone.

Fair fucks for giving it a good go........
 
Javi Garcia's Hairstylist said:
I can't approach 1/100th of Fog's writing ability so breaking off a review in that mode doesn't make sense for me.

I will say that I have several thousand tracks from my lifetime of music fandom playing on random shuffle often.

Sometimes something from the 90s comes on and I'm like 'cool, good memories associated, etc.'

But when "People of the Sun" or "Down Rodeo" or "Bulls on Parade" come on that shit gets turned up to volume 30. Today. I can't think of much else from the sounds of my misspent twenties that engenders such a reaction.

Great band - I connected with them as a punk/metal/hip-hop fan. Like Zack I'm part Mexican. Went big for the political side as well. "Bullet in the Head" still nicely describes my attitude toward corporate America and the establishment in general.

So a 10/10 for me
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Great insight mate...........
 
I don't mind the sweary stuff on this at all. In fact I think it enhances if anything.
This was made just 4 short years after Jools Holland's "groovy fuckers" legendary live gaffe on channel four, which I remember causing quite a stir at the time. Swearing wasn't as popular back then as it is today, so when this came out it was pretty controversial, plus it's very much in context given it's a protest record.

The sound they create makes me think they believe what they're trying to say, not just going through the motions, committed, if you will, can't ask for much more really.

I like this record, very much, but it's a hard one to score because for me it's a "small doses" kind of sound. When I revisit this album as I do from time to time, it always sounds brilliant cranked up in the car or with cans on, but I quickly get my fix and move on, filed away for the next time I need some high octane aural stimulation. It's not a sound I need to hear that often to enjoy it.

I'd compare it to a vindaloo, you wouldn't want one every night, but having one every now and again just re-reminds you of how great they are, and you'd miss it like fuck if you could never have another.

Just something I've noticed whilst discussing this pick at work, this record seems to appeal to a really wide age group. I've had people from their mid-twenties up to 60ish saying how much they love it, which I thought was interesting.

Nevertheless it's a great pick and a bloody good record, some will absolutely hate it, and I get that, but for me it's gotta be a 7 at least.
Fuck it, 8/10.
 
Hi Guys
Short one from me. I too am surprised at 'Holidays choice. I expected something errr.... deep and meaningful :)
Rap mixed with metal isnt my scene at all Im afraid. Their music actually sounds to me like it was made by a machine... Bullet in The Head is machinelike, it sounds to me sort of automated, like a... in a production like factory type of thing. I suspect a lot of content was sequenced.
This was the type of music Id hear coming from my boys bedroom when they were teenagers, I didnt complain as I subjected my parents to things like Yes's Close To The Edge LoL
Anyway its not my scene sorry, I dont hear/see/smell etc. enough in the music to stir my attention. Its too noisy !
Im 69 today, Im older than dust, Im more looking for peace and solitude in my "old bloke" years, give me something to think about hahaha.
Fair fucks to those who dig it though.........
3/10
 
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Excellent choice IMO.

Excellent band at the top of their game and for a first release has many good songs.

one thing that is not mentioned enough I think about RATM is the melody when you layer the tracks.

When you have good musicians and a good message to sell to get the audience thinking beyond their comfort level which is missing in the main in todays releases invariably you end up with an album that will stand the test of time and this one definitely fits the bill.

Raw and pure and one in my favourite record collection albeit there are many.

8/10.
 
Bill Walker said:
Hi Guys
Short one from me. I too am surprised at 'Holidays choice. I expected something errr.... deep and meaningful :)
Rap mixed with metal isnt my scene at all Im afraid. Their music actually sounds to me like it was made by a machine... Bullet in The Head is machinelike, it sounds to me sort of automated, like a... in a production like factory type of thing. I suspect a lot of content was sequenced.
This was the type of music Id hear coming from my boys bedroom when they were teenagers, I didnt complain as I subjected my parents to things like Yes's Close To The Edge LoL
Anyway its not my scene sorry, I dont hear/see/smell etc. enough in the music to stir my attention. Its too noisy !
Im 69 today, Im older than dust, Im more looking for peace and solitude in my "old bloke" years, give me something to think about hahaha.
Fair fucks to those who dig it though.........
3/10
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Happy Birthday BW - what you got planned?

To be fair, as I would have offered up on many previous posts or reviews, it's a mix wouldn't necessarily appeal to me (and I'm only 35) but they are an exception as opposed to the being the rule............
 
Bill Walker said:
Hi Guys
Short one from me. I too am surprised at 'Holidays choice. I expected something errr.... deep and meaningful :)
Rap mixed with metal isnt my scene at all Im afraid. Their music actually sounds to me like it was made by a machine... Bullet in The Head is machinelike, it sounds to me sort of automated, like a... in a production like factory type of thing. I suspect a lot of content was sequenced.
This was the type of music Id hear coming from my boys bedroom when they were teenagers, I didnt complain as I subjected my parents to things like Yes's Close To The Edge LoL
Anyway its not my scene sorry, I dont hear/see/smell etc. enough in the music to stir my attention. Its too noisy !
Im 69 today, Im older than dust, Im more looking for peace and solitude in my "old bloke" years, give me something to think about hahaha.
Fair fucks to those who dig it though.........
3/10
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Happy birthday for yesterday. Hope you had a great day. Mine tomorrow (64). I think I will celebrate with some Kate Bush and maybe my 5.1 recording of Close to the Edge. My lad will be coming round tonight so I will be reminding him of his love for Ratm and tell him about this thread :-).
 
RobMCFC said:
Yes, thanks. Thought I'd recognise it when somebody said it. Just couldn't work out the acronymn.

From Wikipedia:

"Grebo artists and fans sported long hair, dreadlocks and baggy shorts"

It makes it easier to picture Foggy now.
Click to expand...
We used to call heavy metal fans Grebo's in the 80's, they didn't have baggy shorts or dreadlocks?
 
FogBlueInSanFran said:
Thanks mate, appreciate it! Really fun to hear the whole thing again. Good stuff.
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Exquisite again Fog , have you considered a shift in vocation to a ghost writer for many a celeb artist in any field but music is probably your forte and most desired I would humbly suggest.

Far be it from me to question the passion for your current vocation by liner notes in the box sets which need reviving could be your swan song until the children have to look after you.

Finding sets in this day and age maybe the issue.

Not sure if anything post 2010 is in your top twenty but we might find out in due course.

I struggle past 2000.
 
mancity1 said:
I struggle past 2000.
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Maybe we need a third thread: 2000+ albums only. Like most people, most of my favourites are from the 20th century, but I'd be a liar if I didn't say that there's at least 40 or 50 21st century albums that I love.
 
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