Customer Reviews

Back on the Streets

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This album is outdone only by the next album 'King Cool' and that takes quite some doing to out do this album but 'King Cool' is in my top 5 of all time. 'Back on the Streets is easily in the top 15.

It was 'Love is like a rock' that converted me into a die hard Donnie Iris fan, of course that song is on the next album, but Ah leah played a major part to.

Id say the 3 weakest songs on this album(I can't hear you, Back on the streets, and Daddy don't live here) are still better then average meaning the other 7 are great. the 2 that stand out for me are 'She's so wild' and 'You're only dreaming' but only slightly over Agness, Ah Leah, Shock Treatment, and Too Young to love. Joking is another very good song but not quite up there with previousely mentioned. No fillers at all.

"Ah! Leah!" is the song that got my attention. At a time when REO speedwagon seemed to dominate the airwaves, this HUGE rockin' power ballad stood out as something unique.
"I Can't Hear You," "Joking," and "Shock Treatment" are lyrically brilliant- (although at times very eighties).
"Back on the Streets," is a Springsteen-esque ballad that is as good as or better than any Springsteen epic.
"Agnes," is a great "story" that builds as it goes- unforgettable.
"You're Only Dreaming," "She's So Wild (amazing rocker)," and "Daddy Don't Live Here Anymore" revisits some ot the quirkiness and silliness of trackes 2,3, and 4.
"Too Young to Love," just hurts when you listen to it.
Iris has tapped into the very ache of love and desire on a lot of this album and it leaves you with an unforgettable experience. Kick back and listen to all of this at once. You won't regret it.

Another great album from Donnie Iris. His hit Ah! Leah! is a classic. Shock Treatment and I Can't Hear You are super. Listen to this CD and you'll get hooked!

This album has Donnie's hit Ah! Leah! But for true Donnie fans, I Can't Hear You and Shock Treatment are must haves. Candy Quiles, Cleveland, OH

It's rare to find an album that has to be listened to in it's entirety...Back on the Streets is one of those rare finds. From the opening pop-classic "Ah Leah" to the tragic "Too Young to Love," every song is unforgettable- classics in the waiting. This album is a must for every music lover's collection.

This albumn brings back those memories of college in the early 80's. This CD is great from start to finish. A must buy for any Donnie Iris fan. The problem is that there are no longer albumns, only CD's. There are still some Donnie Iris albums that need to be made into CD's.

I have listened to this album repeatedly over the years and have always loved it. I know this is his best work and it pains me that "King Cool" never came close to it's artistry. I have heard that "Poletown" is not a particularly good album, but have been afraid to purchase it due to my burned feelings with "King Cool". Quintessential 1980's power rock! The guy and his band have real power guitar rifts that drive hard and will not let up. Relentless. The lyrics are autobiographical and personal and relay quite a story. The price is good - Try it.

This breakthrough lp defined the early 80's sound - cool guitar riffs, synthesizers, jammin' percussion and, of course, awesome power vocals by Donnie Iris. This is one of a very few cds that I play the entire way through- every song is a classic!! It's too bad Donnie didn't catch on like he could (should) have, the world truly missed out on something special!

Okay so if you're trying to gap fill your album collection and you want good eighties new wave/punk this would be "the" one Iris CD to buy. "Why?" You say. Because A) it has Ah Leah (one of the many "anthems" of the day and an incredible sing/yell along song. If you know the title you most likely have a good memory attached to it as well. As for the rest? I think it important to note the editing/arrangement of songs is excellent and if you are out to hunt for hits alone, you will lose the flow by chosing the best hits/masters CD's. The Cd as a whole will give you a better "feel" of the music at time of release. B) Agnes is a great song and again, great to release some energy whilst singing along. "I can't hear you" has a chorus you will find yourself singing to to your kids and laughing.
All in all a fun and nice sounding set of songs. If you are looking for incredible instrument work or deep and poetically intense lyrics then look elsewhere. This is about fun, singing along, and raising your energy a bit. Just for fun play Red Riders "Lunatic Fringe" right after Leah. Enjoy !!!

From "Ah! Leah!" to "Too Young To Love", Donnie Iris rocks with this CD. "Ah! Leah!" is an 80's classic, and "Agnes" will have you up and dancing even if you don't LIKE to dance. A true "'Burgh" thing like Iron City beer or a cheesesteak at Primanti's at 2:00AM, a Donnie Iris live concert is a MUST if you ever visit our great city when he's playing. Now listen up yunz guys---buy this CD, grab an "Arn", and get ready to rock with King Cool!