Baby's Got a Gun [Import]

Only Ones | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000K1ZC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #807,023 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Oh Lucinda, Love Becomes

2. Happy Pilgrim

3. Why Don't You Kill Yourse

4. Me And My Shadow

5. Deadly Nightshade

6. Strange Mouth

7. My Way Out Of Here

8. Big Sleep

9. Re-Union

10. Fools

11. Castle Built On Sand

12. Troubles In The World

Editorial Reviews

2008 digitally remastered edition of the Punk/Alternative band's third and final album, originally released in 1980. Though they were more like a scuzzy, whacked-out New Wave or Pop/Rock band, The Only Ones have been linked to the Punk scene since their 1978 debut. Led by singer/songwriter Peter Perrett, the band curiously featured former Spooky Tooth drummer Mike Kellie amongst their line-up! Their sound was a mixture of basic, stripped down Rock and New York Dolls-style swagger. 12 tracks including 'Me And My Shadow', 'Why Don't You Kill Yourself', 'Big Sleep' and more. Sony/BMG. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Needs a domestic reissue, November 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Baby's Got a Gun (Audio CD)

Conventional wisdom says that "Baby's Got A Gun" is the weakest of the three Only Ones studio albums, and it does have the most filler of any of them. But there are spectacular highs here, such as "Why Don't You Kill Yourself?" "Me and My Shadow," "Oh Lucinda," and best of all, "The Big Sleep."

The album's sound is the cleanest the Only Ones ever enjoyed (or maybe hated?--the album was produced by Colin Thurston, who later produced Duran Duran), at times erring on the side of antiseptic thinness--a little more volume on the guitars would have been nice, although the crisply recorded rhythm section is appreciated. But despite the band's rapid breakdown into personal animosity and drug abuse, they still play great here.

The first side is consistently fine, containing three of the great tracks mentioned previously and some other good ones; side two is mostly minor tracks or throwaways. "My Way Out of Here" has a Buddy Holly-type beat and was written by Alan Mair, and I can't tell if it's him singing part of it, all of it, or it's Perrett singing entirely out of character. "Fools" is a country cover sung as a duet with Pauline Murray (remember Penetration?). Only "Re-Union" and "The Big Sleep" really register as strong Only Ones tracks. Obviously, Perrett was running a bit short on songs by this album; as most of the best tracks here had been in the live set for awhile.

Still, any Only Ones fan won't want to miss this, and a remastered U.S. version with bonus tracks (how about the title song that wasn't released on the album?) would be much appreciated.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I DON`T AGREE, September 12, 2005

By 

HOTEMETOOT "FLAPPIE" (HOLLAND) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Baby's Got a Gun (Audio CD)

I don`t agree Baby`s Got a Gun as being the worse album.

For me and others it`s the best album made by The Only Ones.

This is the most melodic and it got emotions.

No more punk, but great emotional rock/new wave music where you can here someone showing his emotianal problems and shares them with the world.

I own it for 25 years now and it`s still one of my most favourite albums.

So, no I don`t agree.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN UNDERRATED CLASSIC, June 9, 2009

By 

Mr. Wayne Olsen "wayneinnj" (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Baby's Got a Gun (Audio CD)

Is it only me? Am I the only person who thinks this is one of the greatest albums ever made? I've loved this record since it came out, practically every song is exceptional. First, "My Way Out of Here," in which Alan Mair impersonates Peter Perrett's singing, ina song so heartfelt and moving. Of Perrett's own songs, "Oh Lucinda," the Spokky Tooth-ish "Me and My Shadow" and "Big Sleep",' the wonderfully giddy "Happy Pilgrim," the beautiful "Deadly Nightshade."

Interesting that the album sequence was changed drastically for the US release, which is the one I fell in love with.

Anyway, this album is due to be re-appraised someday. I'll write the damn liner notes for the Deluxe Edition.