Customer Reviews

American Standard

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a wonderful album, full of deep emotion and stirrings of the soul. While Mary's Danish had created two other full masterpieces prior to this, "AMERICAN STANDARD" really stands as a testament to thier incredibly strong songwriting abilities.

A much-missed band, this. They had the sound, the look, and a pretty strong fan-base..... Be sure to get this, and keep an eye open for "There Goes The Wondertruck", "Circa", and Julie Ritter's "Songs of Love and Empire" as well.

I did a double take when I saw that release date, wow, no wonder I miss Mary's Danish so much. I have all three of their releases on cassette, and who listens to cassettes anymore? I've tried to find their music on the internet to no avail, and may have to consider purchasing the CDs here on Amazon. They're such a superb band (were, anyway) that it would be worth it for sure.

If I weren't a surfer I probably never would have heard of Mary's Danish. A surf filmmaker named Jack McCoy put a couple of their songs - off their debut 'There Goes the Wonderstruck - in a video he put out 15 years ago or so. The music just jumped out of the film, as original as it was catchy and addictive. After buying and loving that album I got Circa, their second release, which I think is a brilliant album. It has the feel of a concept album, large in scope, but it's just a great listen all around with many great tracks. And finally, there came what would prove to be their final release, American Standard.

With American Standard, Mary's Danish got seemingly more serious about their music. The album has a stronger, more intense feel than the previous two. Songs like Underwater - an adrenaline pumping song if there ever was one - are perfect examples. Right from the opening track, Killjoy, you get a sense of Mary's Danish's style of songcraft. Edgy, hooky, powerful, and raw. One of the most unique facets of the band is its pair of female lead singers, and what singers they are. Two beautiful screeching (roaring, perhaps) women fronted this band very handily for the years that they were around. How many bands can boast that?

I remember back when this album came out they actually got a shot on Letterman, who was then on NBC, and funny. If memory serves me they played Killjoy, and rocked it. In retrospect I suppose it looked like Mary's Danish were about to take off, to have some financial success approaching the creative success they had achieved in the studio for years. But alas, it was not to be. The reasons why are a mystery to me, I'm not one to keep up with the gossipy details about why bands split up or get back together or do whatever they do. I only know that Mary's Danish is gone, and they've been gone for a very long time. Shame...

I took a chance on this album the year it was released, after hearing so much about their (major label) debut "Circa". With so much critical acclaim, I was initially skeptical; I generally am where critics are concerned. But after further listenings, the band's influences mattered less than the total product, which turns out to be one of the top ten best albums of the 1990s.

Their influences range from Hendrix to the Go-Go's, but this isn't a novelty retro pastiche. Some of the numbers ('God Said', 'Underwater') suffer from lack of conviction, but 'Killjoy', 'Weeping Tree', and 'Porcupine' take the plunge and show that the band isn't afraid to rock out sensibly.

For the best song Jane's Addiction never wrote, check out 'Sister Shade'. It's epic in its scale, and the freshest thing written in all of 1992.

It's not original, but it's entirely unique in its field. The same can be said about "Everything Must Go" by the Manic Street Preachers (another essential 90s album). 'There Goes The Wondertruck' and 'Circa' are fine, and you can't go wrong by purchasing them, but if you don't own this album, then your collection is far from complete.

Cult bands are hard to find. Usually, they're critical darlings that don't sell many records. Such is the case here with, Mary's Danish - American Standard (1992). Released quietly on the bizarro Morgan Creek label aiming at the new "Alternative" radio market, American Standard received rave reviews, however, not many bought the album...But me.

Signed to Morgan Creek Records, after a modest two album tenure at Elektra Records, Mary's Danish did receive a notice from publications like, Rolling Stone and The Los Angeles Times, claiming the band as one of their "fresh faces" to look for in the early 90's.

Mary Danish was founded in the mid 80's in Los Angeles. The band was comprised of a large assembly of talented musicians, and was fronted by two extremely talented female lead vocalists, Gretchen Seager and Julie Ritter.

The band produced a brilliant fix of edgy bar rock, funk, country, and white soul. American Standard, is their tour de force - accordion, and weird 90's album artwork in all!

American Standard is an very infectious album. When you listen to it, if you don't like it instantly, you probably won't ever. The set list to effect, is like a unstoppable roller coaster ride. The album pushes and travels through pop punk tunes, love-torn lament, guitar rock of the 70's, and the occasional unforgettable rock anthem.

Standout's here like, Underwater, O Lonely Soul, It's A Hard Road, Leave It Alone, Ode To A Life, The Living End, and Shotgun, are the essence of the bands sound, and it's so catchy and well executed. Dual vocals on several tracks by Seager and Ritter, perfect the music, and for some reason it always reminds me of June Carter & Johnny Cash singing "Jackson." Not sure why, but the duality is what makes this formula work.

I haven't ever heard another band, that sounded anything like, Mary's Danish, and that's what makes them so great. American Standard would be on my list of must have stranded on a desert island list. Why doesn't anyone even question, if you're stranded on a desert island, is their gonna be power to use your cd player?

Morgan Creek promoted the band to the best of their ability. Mary's Danish appeared on a few late night television talk shows, they did a video or two, they even received some modest regional radio play on strict Alternative Rock stations. They did catch a break...kinda..when Joss Whedon included their cover of the Bobby Fuller Four's "I Fought The Law", on the soundtrack to his 1992 film, Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The track is also featured as a "hidden" cut on American Standard as well.

American Standard would mark the end of the band's recording career. Members went onto different things, the Seager and Ritter moving on to sing backup on the Red Hot Chilli Pepper's successful, Mother's Milk album. American Standard is a true one of a kind vision with a remarkable original sound. You'll never hear another record like it. Pick it up.

Another reviewer here says that they got more serious about their music on this album. If that's what it was, they should have just kept playing unserious music. Their other three albums are outstanding. 5 stars for both the studio releases. But the change here was just not good for them. The talented slap of Wag is totally absent. There is a lack of the jazzing sounding guitar tracks found in their previous work. Also, these songs are way to polished. Their other albums offered much more diverse and raw sound. As a hugh fan, it greatly disappointed me and still years later, I can't find myself enjoying more than bits and pieces of this one. The fun found in the other albums is just missing.

This album covers a wide variety of feelings and emotions. Gretchen and Julie's voice harmonize together beautifully,this album will definately leave you wanting more.