5 comments about Hallucination Engine.

1. laswell's cool but I'm a p funk head and bootsy collins, and bernie worrell plays on herer and those 2 are kind of out there themselves and just as bizarre still it's a must have good cd for those who like the weird crazy sound opf jazz fusion and funk.



2. Am I out of the loop or something? I thought I kind of knew about music, but I stand humbled. I just heard of Bill Laswell and this album. I am suprised this album is not as well known as Dark Side of the Moon or Head Hunters, although it's completely it's own thing. There is some review about this album being easy listening. I have to agree, it's very easy listening, perhaps some of the easiest. I can't stop listening to it. It's very easy on my ears and mind - and amazingly good.



3. Judging from the other reviews, it looks as if you either don't understand this album at all or you want to marry it, have it's babies, and make sure a copy goes into your casket when you check out. I am one of the latter. I am currently shopping for my second copy of this cd, my old one of 11 years got lost in a recent move and I'm jonesing...best meditation, space, sexy music around. The disc has held up to repeated playings, I am always finding new moments in it to enjoy. It is surely Laswell's greatest; how can I decribe it? Rich orchestrated Trip-hop/acid jazz/world beat, they do stuff here in 'real time' w/ 'real instruments' that most DJ's who have to rely on synths and loops must only dream of. I agree with the other reviewers that Laswell's ouvre is very uneven...but fans of this one take heart, there was an album made about the same time with many of the same musicians which is almost as good as this one...if you're interested, check out Nicky Scopelitis's Ektasis album (he has several with similar titles, look for the one on the Axiom label with the koenline cover with the Horus/ Udjat eye design). I envy those who will discover this album anew...happy listening...



4. This is a truly brilliant album that anyone who gives a shi-ite about music should have in their collection. I like all kinds of music (except R & B, top-40 garbage & punk-lite, e.g. Goood Charlotte) - everything from Sepultura, Slipknot, Obituary, Dillinger Escape Plan, Mastodon, Opeth, Clash, Pistols, Damned, Iggy & the Stooges, Velvets, Ramones, Pere Ubu, Wire, Butthole Surfers, Johnny Cash, Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, Public Enemy, Beasties, James Brown, P-Funk, Boards of Canada, Orbital, Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Herbie Hancock, etc, etc. If you like any of the aforementioned you will like this album (mind you, if your musical palette is limited to one genre only, e.g. death metal, then you are a narrow-minded fool and will probably be bemused and not understand it at all).
   
   It's very trippy (the title is apposite) and very chilled out and combines all kinds of styles - I think another reviewer mentioned funk, jazz, rock, hip-hop and ambient. That pretty much covers it! It features the legendary Bill Laswell (bass player extraordinaire and head of Axiom Records) as the driving force behind the band, Wayne Shorter (jazz saxophonist who used to play with Miles Davis), Bootsy & Bernie of P-Funk fame, Nicky Skopelitis on excellent guitar, a couple of Middle Eastern-sounding geezers, and sundry others. The price of admission alone is justified by "Words of Advice", a William Burroughs (RIP) rant that includes the immortal line "Who wants to be the richest guy in some cemetery?" The man's advice is SOLID.
   
   BUY THIS RECORD!!!!!!!



5. Couldn't choose zero stars, unfortunately. The self-indulgent, easy-listening, adult contemporary stuff here is below contempt. What a great waste of talent, if one's is to believe the liner credits: Z. Hussein, Jaki Liebezeit, et al, what were you thinking? Abismally dissapointed. Stay away! . .

5 comments about On Parole.

1. I always liked On Parole more than Motorhead (self titled), even though I like that album, too. It's Motorhead so it's hard not to like it. Anyways, this is the only recording of the Lemmy/Larry Wallis line up. I wonder what would have happened if this line up stayed together longer? If you've ever wondered how Lemmy made the transition from Hawkwind space rock to Motorhead's speed boogie, this is the key. If you like this record check out some Pink Fairies and Deviants.
   
   And be sure to check out Mighty High...In Drug City, too!



2. This is a remaster of Motorhead- On Parole.It was recorded in 1975 but was not originally released until 1979. The album was completely re-recorded in 1976 as Motorheads self titled debut. The songs on that release were completley rearranged and sound absolutely nothing like they do on this album.
   What I find interesting in this disc, is the fact that, even though it wasn't really quite Motorhead yet, you can still understand the urge to make the music LOUD. The idea was there, it just hadn't really developed yet. In fact, alot of this old school Motorhead recording almost sounds closer to Hawkwind stuff, which was that british acid/prog/revolving door band that Lemmy was in prior.
   Many of the tracks have alot of weird fills in them... stuff that one may assume they would never hear on a Motorhead album... such as, high pitch backing vocals, or lazer beam sound effects. VIBRATOR is this cheeky snotty brit punk thing happening. Almost glitterish, with a different lead vocal, but you know the band was having a blast recording it anyway.. It makes me chuckle a little. IRON HORSE starts off with a pretty extensive rasta section. Live At Hammersmith this is not.
   Still though, I enjoy this record. Even though the songs are alot cleaner than the Head you may know, for 1975 this is some pretty loud stuff. I would still kill to see more bands play music like this these days. It definately is not as frenetic and blood pumping as albums to follow, but the buzz had to start somewhere. I say, make sure you have Motorhead/Motorhead first, because they really got it right the second time around. However, sometimes I really like these recordings too. It all rocks man. It's Motorhead!



3. Well, obviously you wouldn't start here but if you are working your way through the complete catalogue, then you want to see baby's first steps. And they are rather unsteady, but as every journey starts with baby steps--ok, enough of the metaphors.
   Frankly, I bought this because I love the Pink Fairies as much as I love Motorhead. I'd have to say though that Larry Wallis was holding this project back, with a guitar sound stuck in the 60s rather than reflecting the punk energy that was appearing in London at the time. So, this is all pretty tame and never threatens to generate much heat. Its also funny to hear Lemmy sing, rather than growl as we love him today, on prototype versions of the song 'Motorhead'. So that's what the first verse is about--who knew?



4. This to me is the only Motorhead LP that matters. Of course I'm a big Pink Fairies nut so that might be it. You get Larry Wallis from the great Pink Fairies on guitar. It sounds like the Pink Faiies if Lemmy had joined up in '75. Anyway a great greasy slab of drunken Hell's Angel biker rock. Rock on.



5. Get THIS cd cover (white, w/ black pig/motorhead logo) i had the unfortunate luck to get the other one with Lemmy on it which in all fairness is least cooler of the two, with that out of the way let me just say that a huge Motorhead fan this isn't Motorhead. It's good, but it's like the Yardbirds decided to make an album for the Hell's Angels - it's just a little off. Albeit it doesn't have Philty Animal or Fast Eddie - that's the main problem - but it's good to see that before ACES, before BOMBER and before OVERKILL Motorhead just ON PAROLE

5 comments about Flamejob.

1. The magic just isn't here anymore. I think that every cramps fiend's affection comes from the fact that these guys struggled through pretty much every kind of hardship a band can face (except for a lack of purpose, drive, and motivation) throughout the wild and wooly days of the early punk scene. even the punks didn't get these guys. This album is just too artificial sounding to be a real cramp's album. it sounds like a novelty album for kids. I loved "sinners", though. and for that I gave it another star.



2. Visually, the Cramps had lost none of their impact with this collection and the supporting tour, yet there is something of a pause here in their oeuvre, for this is the point at which the Cramps leapt from basement nightmares to graduate school appreciation that invoked the use of pretentious French words by irony aware critics. And with that audience solidified-however much the Cramps may disdain a fickle esthete fan base-the expectation for "Flame Job" was high. Instead, the Cramps did it their way and delivered yet another Cramps album.
   
   Stand out songs that invoke your ooze are "Ultra Twist" and "Swing the Big Eyed Rabbit," but a departure is the nearly haunting "Strange Love" that begs to be covered by Mazzy Star, or at least Hope Sandoval. This curious tune and "Sinners" in the mix suggests that the Cramps were on the border of flirting with torch songs as a step towards innuendo over double-entendre for lyrical sexual allusions. As the album loses with a definitive well worn cover of Route 66 this possibility remains unexplored. Ivy's guitar work on "Route 66" is exemplary, both spare and alluring, is among her finest work and further demonstrates that she is a more accomplished artist than eye candy in a leotard.
   
   In sum, this album does not equal "Songs the Lord Taught Us" or "Stay Sick!" for sheer appeal, but it has more merits than simply being an object for Cramps completists.



3. Pretty much your usual Cramps record here.No complaints though.'Flamejob' is no doubt a highly energetic fueled CD that's sure to fully please any Cramps fan,rather he/she be old school or new.Plenty of foot-stompers here,like "Mean Machine","Ultra Twist"(miss seeing the video),"Let's Get F**ked Up",their abuse song "Naked Girl Falling Down The Stairs","Trapped Love" and "Route 66".As the Cramps seem to always deliver the goods,another great psychobilly release to hold and to cherish.A true keeper.



4. This is a typical album by the rockabilly influenced punk rock group, or punk influenced rockabilly group, depending how you look at it. It features the usual strange sexual innuendo laden original songs and obscure cover songs (although "Route 66" isn't very obscure). This album isn't as good as some of their "classic" albums, but their fans should still dig it.



5. The Cramps are another one of my most favorite bands. I possess every studio album they released, including 2003's "Fiends of Dope Island." With their own warped rockabilly rhythms and catchy lyrics, the Cramps have developed a huge and faithful cult following of college graduates (like myself), and artsy freaks. This 1994 album features the classic "Ultra Twist," which to me is the most infectious dance song since "The Time Warp" from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. A few of the other songs, most notably "Nest of the Cuckoo Bird" and "Sado County Auto Show" contain both easy chorus hooks and lots of obvious sexual innuendos. It also seems that the Cramps (after coming off the excesses of the late 1980's) have been inspired by past historical art movements and have taken them in as part of a way of life. "Let's Get F*cked UP" is not only about psychedelic drugs, but also about leaving behind society's oppressive views on "good" art, and instead immersing onself in Surrealism (which became famous because its images came straight from both dreams and the mind)The funny, punk-style "Naked Girl Falling Down the Stairs" was actually inspired by the "Nude Descending a Staircase" painting by Dada artist Marcel Duchamp. Lux even mentions Pablo Picasso in "I'm Customized." "How Come you Do Me" and a couple the other later tracks are in the style of Rhythm & Blues, with Lux's famous Elvis-impersonator vocals. I must recommend this album to savy music buyers all over the world. Let Amazon know that the Cramps will never die!

5 comments about Casual Gods.

1. I began my search for "Casual Gods" when I heard the song "Man With A Gun" at the end of the movie "Two Moon Junction". I had that track in my head for weeks before I finally got this album in the mail, and I think the song is hypnotic, sexy, excellent, and worth the purchase alone. "Rev It Up" is another great track, and I believe was a single. A few of these songs have a subtle Talking Heads vibe, especially during the "keyboard solos", but I suppose that's unavoidable since he was in that band. In the track "We're Always Talking" I even hear some "Roxy Music" influence. Others worth a mention are "Song Of Angels" and "Let It Come Down". I'd say the first half of the album is a bit stronger overall. It's too bad all his stuff is out of print since it's quite good. Worth getting like I said, whether you're a fan of Talking Heads, the late 80's, or just good tunes.



2. Amazon doesn't seem to have the track listing:
   
   1. Rev it up
   2. Song of angels
   3. Man with a gun
   4. Let it come down
   5. Cherokee chief
   6. A perfect lie
   7. Are you running?
   8. Breakdown in the passing lane
   9. A.K.A. Love
   10. We're always talking
   11. Bobby
   12. Bobby (extended mix)
   
   I'm not sure if all versions have track 12. Sire Records, 1987.



3. Jerry Harrison released this, his second solo album, a few months before the last Talking Heads album, "Naked". It's clearly the better album. The Heads seemed to be running out of inspiration, but Jerry himself wasn't.
   
   After two relatively straightforward TH pop albums, "Little Creatures" and "True Stories", Jerry returned to the funk-rock sounds of "Speaking in Tongues". The groove-oriented atmosphere is helped along by two members of the "Stop Making Sense" live band, Alex Weir and Bernie Worrell, although Jerry wrote a number of the songs with his old Modern Lovers bassist, Ernie Brooks.
   
   However, the album is hardly a clone of "Tongues". Guitar parts are as prominent as keyboards in the sound. And the lyrical topics are far darker than the whimsy of then-recent TH albums: mercenaries ("Cherokee Chief"), disappearance and suicide ("Bobby), depression("Let it Come Down"), less-than-happy relationships ("I'm Still Running", "Breakdown in the Passing Lane"). The lyrics are always thoughtful and intelligent, almost like little film noir tales. At the same time, the music is very catchy and danceable. Jerry's voice is rather limited in range and a bit colorless, sort of like Lou Reed's, and occasionally hard to hear, but effective despite this (again, like Reed).
   
   The outstanding tracks are the hypnotic ballads "Let it Come Down" and "Man with a Gun" (the latter from the movie "Something Wild"), the rocker "Cherokee Chief" (which got a bit of airplay) and "Rev it Up", especially. The album's single, this cruising song is more extroverted than the rest of the album. But the CD as a whole is really listenable until the end, which contains two versions of "Bobby" -- the second a remix which wears out its welcome before it 7 minutes are up. The album, on a whole, though, was unfairly overlooked, and deserved a second chance from TH fans as well as people who like a some thinking along with their dancing.



4. Anyone that is just looking for hits probably won't be reading this (they're on a page just buying one of the Best of Talking Heads collections or (worse) their soundtrack of the 80's was written by Kenny Logins). Even if you are just counting hits, this album also includes "Man With a Gun" which got just as much or more airplay than "Rev it Up" at the time.

   As for the whole disc, like the the Talking Heads, the tracks are driven with a very danceable bassline, but with plenty of guitar/synth grinding that churn the songs along. There's a good deal of overdubbing that reminds me of other discs of the time (e.g. Robbie Robertson, David & David, etc.). His vocals are not as strong (or quirky) as David Byrne's but the effort is enjoyable. In fact, the only failure on the disc is the last song which is the most like the Talking Heads offerings. But then an album is more than just one song.

   The cover art, which has photos of thousands of men literally scraping a living out off the cliffs of a mine in Brazil, IS powerful stuff. Even with the LP, it takes a moment to realize the antlike figures are actually men.




5. I used the then-hit "Rev It Up" on my Talking Heads mix CD. It's very cool, but the rest of the CD did not impact me the same way. Talking Heads CDs are like some other bands -- the songs are either hit or miss, and I generally only took 1-2 songs from each disc, except Little Creatures, which is overall excellent. The Casual Gods artwork is very compelling, something I can rarely if ever say about any CD. I depicts the plight of exploited miners in South America who are forced to manually remove dirt in bags on their backs up rickety ladders from great depths. Compelling. Edit: Hey, you first two guys did not like my review? Then try picking up your own copy of this out-of-print CD for $2.

5 comments about Shine Like It Does - The Anthology (1979-1997).

1. INXS has, in the years since Michael Hutchence's passing, been moved to an almost legendary status. The double CD of "Shine Like It Does" shows that the high praise and adulation is well deserved. By the time the band hit their stride on "Shabooh Shoobah," they'd worked out the kinks and honed the act into a powerhouse of gritty, Stonesy rock with almost New Wave undertones. The first four cuts on this anthology show the growing pains, up to "Stay Young."
   
   Once "The One Thing" and "Don't Change" gave INXS some currency, and they experimented on both "The Swing" and "Listen Like Thieves." Pushing their edge with Nile Rodgers on "Original Sin" and the Bowie-ish "Johnson's Aeroplane" proved that INXS were multidimensional, and then "What You Need" propelled the band into the American Top Ten.
   
   INXS proved one thing over and over. They were a crack live band. Hutchence was charismatic and electric, Kirk Pengilly's sax was one of the best in rock, and the Farriss brothers created glorious guitar racket. All the members were songwriters. With all that going for them, they finally struck a bulls-eye when "Kick" exploded. With the classic singles "Need You Tonight," "Devil Inside" and "Never Tear Us Apart," this was the band's crowning achievement. INXS captured a moment there that - despite several good albums after - they didn't scale to again.
   
   Which leaves the rest of the set with choice selections from albums that were, for the most part, diminishing returns. That said, there are still gems from each, including Hutchence's duet with Ray Charles on "Please (You Got That)" from "Full Moon, Dirty Hearts" and the rejuvenated band's title track from "Elegantly Wasted." There's also an obscure The Lost Boys soundtrack single with Hutchence and Jimmy Barnes (of Cold Chisel), "Good Times."
   
   "Shine Like It Does" pays tribute to a band that was drawn up short by fate. (Rock Star and JD Fortune/Switch not withstanding.) While Hutchence was a dynamic frontman, listening to these discs as the band evolves proves just how much of a cohesive unit they were (how many of you have Michael's solo album?). While the single disc "The Best of INXS" will probably suit the casual listener, this well packaged 2-disc set with a well written booklet is terrific for a fan that wants a little bit more.



2. One of the better best of's I have spent money on. But you should still own Listen Like Thieves and Kick ;)



3. I have owned this anthology for almost 4 years now, one of the best music buys I have made in the last 5 years. Being a big fan of INXS since the late 80's but just owning Kick, X, their live CD and their Greatest Hits, this gave me a broader vision of all their music and I am really glad to have had the opportunity to do just that. Since then I have collected more of their CD's so I have even more. But this is ideal for INXS fans who are more than casual fans and want more of what they have to offer without having to buy all of their CDs, which by the way wouldn't be a bad move either. My personal favorites on this set are The One Thing, I Send a Message, Burn for You, Kiss the Dirt, Disappear, Bitter Tears, Taste It, Beautiful Girl, The Strangest Party and Elegantly Wasted. Although there are over 40 songs on here from the very early days to their last album in 1997. The very first song, Simple Simon is a fun song to listen to.
   
   INXS surely deserves this 2 disc compilation, after all their career spanned almost 20 years at the time of Michael Hutchence's death, which in itself is a real shame. How I wish he was still with us. This anthology is dedicated to him, and there is a nice booklet containing the story of INXS told by the band members themselves to a journalist who was writing a review which is an interesting read. There are also little snippets of information about each song, plus lots of pictures of the band, including some early ones that are fun to see. All in all, if you are a fan of INXS, casual or big, get this collection, it's about as complete as it gets.



4. I didn't really remember INXS songs until the tv show. Once I heard those few songs, it all came back to me. Bought a couple of CD's and DVD's and I just love the songs. Quite a bit of the songs I didn't recognize, but they grew on me pretty fast. Feel so sad that Michael isn't here anymore, but his wonderful voice is preserved this way for us to enjoy.



5. I have, "Listen Like Thieves" on vinyl. I liked that album. I used to listen to INXS on the radio and have watched their videos, yet never got "into them" more than that.
   
   I'm happy having, "Shine Like It Does". It brings back memories of listening to them on the radio in the car. I also really appreciate their earlier work. I'm impressed by it. It's all good.
   
   If you are new to INXS or are re-introducing yourself to the band, this anthology will do nicely.
   
   M. Hutchence - R.I.P.
   
   P.S. - If anyone is ever suicidal, get help by calling a helpline or talking to someone (a friend, a relative or even a stranger).
   
   We are often lonely, yet never alone.

No comments about Trans-Global Unity Express.

5 comments about Flash and the Pan/Lights in the Night.

1. Flash and the Pan was a fantastic band that somehow blended dark lyrics into very catchy Pop songs--an oxymoron for sure. All of the previous reviews are dead accurate. Their later albums ("Early Morning Wakeup Call", "Nights In France" and "Burning Up The Night") were a bit more commercial and not as dark as their early stuff but the albums are still extremely enjoyable even if they are a little more mainstream than their first 3 albums.
   
   For those looking for all of their albums, it is difficult, but possible to get them; however, it will take a bit of work. The internet has been the effort a bit easier than when I attempted to complete my collection 7 years ago. I am fortunate to own each of their 8 albums (2 of them were greatest hits albums). For those looking, I think almost all of the studio albums are on CD with the exception of "Headlines". I've tried locating the CD version of "Early Morning Wakeup Call" but haven't been able to get it, so I simply ripped by LP version.
   
   Flash and the Pan were ahead of their time and very unique. I've never heard another band like them. Their songs were smart, quirky and almost as catchy as something from the power-pop genre while being menacing and dark. A weird, fascinating combination that is shockingly listenable.



2. Years ago, living in Detroit, an overnight rock DJ would play "Hey St. Peter" from time to time. I finally heard him say the name of the band and bought the vinyl. Needless to say, it was lost over the years.
   
   All of the memories came flooding back. This CD has been in my car since it arrived.



3. ... is the absolute standout track on this collection, a downtempo masterpiece long before it became a genre unto itself (although Grace Jones did a remake, the atmospheric version found here is definitive)... other notables include "Hey St. Peter" and "Lights In The Night".



4. I hate to overhype these records, but a few of the songs here changed my life. I mean that. It was 1980 and I was 14, listening to the Rock and Roll Alternative, a radio show George Gimarc had on KZEW in Dallas. I was sprawled out on the hood of my mom's car on a hot summer night, the stars above me blazing. The song "Lights in the Night" came on the portable radio we had and it was then I knew music could save your soul. My brother got both records and we played them constantly. "Walking in the Rain." "First and Last." "Restless." A few stinkers, too. But most of this stuff is brilliant. I recently threw a few songs on my iPod and they are still fresh and ahead of any time. Why don't more people know about them? Throw them on the next mix-tape, er, CD you make for a friend.



5. Flash and the Pan mixed the electronica of Kraftwerk, or even The ORB, with the sounds of 80s British Pop/Dance. But they produced this sound a good ten years before it 'went to the mall'. And worht noting is their late 70s/early 80s avant-gaurde sound isn't dated, like say The Psychedellic Furs.
   
   Even today, it's still unusual in production, lyrics, and sound, but certainly no longer head-turning.
   
   And like a previous reviewer stated; back in the day I didn't think anybody else knew of this group. One of my favorite memories was when a group of us sampled too much canabis in a van parked somewhere around the bottom of Mt. Diablo and just spaced out to the sounds of Lights in the Night.

5 comments about Black and White (+6 Bonus Tracks).

1. What can I say about this album that hasn't already been said? Quite a bit and so little. It is one of the most awkward albums that I've ever listened to. At times the tracks go on for hours after you thought they were over, the keyboard has more solos than the guitar and the songs are all over the place. I don't know how, but this album just plain works. The album is really hard to explain since, at least to me, there is no real reason that it works it just does. I wouldn't suggest it to anyone impatient or stuck up, but if you want something beautifully bizarre get this album. One of my all time favorites.



2. Only the Stranglers could have devised an album so odd yet so powerful, a concept album about war, violence, seafaring, and the mechanization of industry set to visceral and angular bass lines, choppy rhythms, and twiddling, melodic synthesizer runs. You might call this album "post punk," but in 25 years of listening to rock, pop, and jazz, I have yet to find anything to compare it to. And for all that, this album will still have you singing along to its catch phrases. A very stark and brilliant album.



3. Black & White is the masterpiece of The Stranglers, a band which showcased a very aggressive sound (especially the bass of J.J.Burnel) with Doorsian influences (the keyboards), dark themes and very politically un-correct opinions in their lyrics.
   
   They were contemporaries of the british punk movement of the second half of the 70's, but they were never a part of that scene and were always distinguishable for their use of keyboards and independent thought. I don't think they ever pressed the anti-establishment issue that was so prevalent in the punk scene, although they never refrained from taking an independent stand on controversial topics.
   
   Therefore, I disagree with the label "punk" so often attached to them, included the previous users' reviews on this site. If you want to use a tag, then I think "darkwave" fits best.
   
   The music in this album blends "dark" themes with psychedelia, poppish hooks ("Tank", "Sweden - All quiet on the eastern front") and even up-tempo waltz ("Outside Tokyo"). The drums - as the costume of the time imposed - were played in a quite rigid, cold style; the bass is an ever-threatening presence and along with the keyboards give the Stranglers music its distinctive sound.
   
   After almost 30 years this is still great album to listen to; my impression is that fans of dark metal would also appreciate it.



4. I love this album; I consider it the best punk album ever recorded. Despite my love for this album, I've never checked out any of the other Stranglers albums... perhaps I'm afraid I'd be disappointed when comparing them to this masterpiece. (This strange quirk of mine extends to the "bonus tracks" on the CD; I don't want to hear them for fear they'll turn a perfect album into an imperfect disc.) I can't imagine The Stranglers - or punk music - getting any better than the original "Black and White" album. I don't have a favorite track on this album; they're all gems.
   
   What makes this record unique is its balance between traditional "punk" sounds and attitudes on the one hand and virtuoso musicianship on the other. Punk bands have never been known for talented instrumentalists; oftentimes, it's a person's ATTITUDE that gets him hired by a punk band, not his ability to play an instrument. As a result, most punk bands don't have very talented musicians. That's not the case here... the members of The Stranglers are all exceptional on their chosen instruments; they all have "chops" and play as though music theory matters. Bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel is perhaps the best in the band... his tone and basslines on songs like "Toiler on the Sea" and "Nice n' Sleazy" blow me away.

   Punk musicians with chops? Time and tempo changes in punk songs? It hardly seems possible, but it is. Prog Rock meets Punk? Prog Punk? What's next, will the members of Yes join the Clash?

   (The only complaint: the CD format robs the buyer of the art on the original album. The LP had a "marbled vinyl look" that was entertaining to stare at as it spun beneath the record needle.)




5. I love this album; I consider it the best punk album ever recorded. Despite my love for this album, I've never checked out any of the other Stranglers albums... perhaps I'm afraid I'd be disappointed when comparing them to this masterpiece. (This strange quirk of mine extends to the "bonus tracks" on the CD; I don't want to hear them for fear they'll turn a perfect album into an imperfect disc.) I can't imagine The Stranglers - or punk music - getting any better than the original "Black and White" album. I don't have a favorite track on this album; they're all gems.
   
   What makes this record unique is its balance between traditional "punk" sounds and attitudes on the one hand and virtuoso musicianship on the other. Punk bands have never been known for talented instrumentalists; oftentimes, it's a person's ATTITUDE that gets him hired by a punk band, not his ability to play an instrument. As a result, most punk bands don't have very talented musicians. That's not the case here... the members of The Stranglers are all exceptional on their chosen instruments; they all have "chops" and play as though music theory matters. Bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel is perhaps the best in the band... his tone and basslines on songs like "Toiler on the Sea" and "Nice n' Sleazy" blow me away.

   Punk musicians with chops? Time and tempo changes in punk songs? It hardly seems possible, but it is. Prog Rock meets Punk? Prog Punk? What's next, will the members of Yes join the Clash?

   (The only complaint: the CD format robs the buyer of the art on the original album. The LP had a "marbled vinyl look" that was entertaining to stare at as it spun beneath the record needle.)

No comments about Best of Diamond Head.

5 comments about Wheels of Steel.

1. a good hard-rocking album that's firmly plays Saxon as a leader in the new wave of British heavy metal, but you will be much happier getting the remastered copy of Saxon's Strong Arm of the Law,from the same year



2. There are no words to describe what a heavy metal milestone this album represents. I got the two pack Wheels of steel/strong arm of the law and Steel is so astoundingly terrific it defies description. Every song is a winner especially Motorcycle man (the lead guitar solo loosens dental fillings) and Wheels of steel has a cat scratch fever feel to it but is an instant classic of metal. Quit reading this and start playing the cd. WOW!!! Metal music to last a lifetime.



3. One of the greatest documents of the NWOBHM, Saxons Wheels of Steel stands head and shoulders above so many of it's peers that it's almost cruel to name names. The simple fact is that apart from the NWOBHM heroes we all know such as Def Leppard only a few of them were actually any good, regardless of how important the movement was in the history of hard rock/heavy metal.
   
   And the fact is that on the strength of this album Saxon were one of the few. This molten slab of pub infused metal is unkempt and raucous in it's delivery, oozing passionate zeal with a band experienced enough to know what they were doing while still being young enough to have that irreplaceable, one off youthful bravado at the opening possibilities. Wheels of Steel is a collection of heads down numbers. The production is simple and traditional as one would expect of the albums vintage. The cover art is minimalist (on my pressing anyway) and the entire package is understated. Except for the music.
   
   Some of Saxons best songs are on this album, Motorcycle Man, 747 (Strangers in the Night) and the title track itself. All are great metal songs that race along with purity of mission. And the reason this album hangs together so well is that even though the other songs all meld together. Every song sounds like it belongs here despite the fact that not all are up to the same standard. An almost AC/DC like consistency is at play here as everything gels.
   
   I truly feel that on this album Saxon hit a groove that they rarely achieved again. It is the place to start for my mind, as opposed to the compilation album entitled Collection of Metal which for me was too middling and spent too much time on their weaker late 80's material. In fact my gut instinct is that this single album is better than that supposed best of. Buy this instead to find out what the fuss was about in regards to Saxon. They were/are a second or even third tier band overall, but here they really do fire up.



4. Saxon's "Wheels of Steel" was my introduction into saxon and NWOBHM era bands. I really have to say that this album was mindblowing! it blew the windows out of my house, Saxon really knew what true heavy metal was! This is an alternitive to other british metal bands like def leppard, iron maiden and judas preist that have been consumed by the commercail sickness and have had been repeating the same formula for over 20 years. Saxon is all out kick @$$ metal. the first track of the album will get you right in the action,"motorcycle man" is a fast paced rocker simular to deep purple "highway star" but much heavier. other mentionables include "747,stangerinthenight" which is about a 747 low on gas with no place to land. the title track is a mid paced heavy tune that is pretty good but can get repeatative with its lyrics at time. "freeway mad" is another fast driving song like"motorcycle" is. my favorite song on the album "see the light shining" is probably the center piece of the album, words can't describe it, must listen. "street fighting gang" is a awesome song as well. this is one of the best heavy rock albums i'v listend to, i espessicaly like pete gills druming techniques on this one, he is a solid time keeper and has some interesting double bass techniques as well. and as always i love paul quinns guitar tone as with any saxon album. awesome disc...
   
   SAXON RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



5. this was the first saxon album i ever got, years before i got this i have heard of saxon, and even knew one or two of there songs, but i could never find any of there cds,and whenever i would mention a band called "saxon" people would look at me dumbfounded. i found a saxon album finally and this was it, (...) i decided to bite the bullit because it was the last copy and i always wanted to get into saxon. i really loved this album, its better than anything by any well known american band (kiss, aerosmith, metallica, van halen). i guess saxon was never a big band in america, they were definatly more popular in the u.k. and europe. you could really call saxon a band for real metalheads, no one who causally listens to metal would know of them. i would reccomend you find this one.