Customer Reviews

Balboa Island

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

 

 

Too bad the Pretties already used "EMOTIONS" as an album title,as it perfectly describes the music contained on this,their 11th disc.They are a band that has,figuritively,been to hell and back in a 44 year career of (mostly)downs-some ups.It's all revealed here in these 13(oh no) tracks-brutal tales of: experiencing firsthand the madness of the British invasion,circa 1964-65(The Beat Goes on),the tortured psyche of gonzo Phil May(Livin' in My Skin),almost being arrested for promoting the use of cannabis in song(at the tender age of 55!)(All Light Up)and finally(we hope)nearly being killed in a horrible car crash just a few years ago(Balboa Island).If you can get through the entire record without having yourself committed,there are a wealth of wonderful songs contained here.It opens with not one,two,but three rockers the quality of which hadn't been heard(to these ears)since 1980's CROSSTALK.But what makes this a pure masterpiece is the abrupt change of tone,and sentiment,on track 7-the brilliant Dylan cover,THE BALLAD OF HOLLIS BROWN.Though I've never heard the original,I would guess this is one of the few covers that matches the Masters own version--simply blood curdling.The rest of the cd continues with gut-wrenching autobiographical profiles.My only complaint;they include the a and b side of their 1999 single-ALL LIGHT UP and PRETTY BEAT,however they seamlessly fit the theme of the record...cool.People always want to know if a record will cater to old fans or create new ones--I would guess both!

Wow- some surprisingly negative reviews here.
I've listened six or seven times and, other than the "Robert Johnson" song which is so-so but goes on way too long,or the boring Dylan cover which I skip, it's great. Yes, quite a somber mood overall, but lots of great stuff here and beautifully done. I do miss the harmonies and more pop oriented stuff because these guys can do anything, but I guess they just weren't feeling it. A shiny pop song or two would feel out of place here anyway, the mood is quite consistent. To put it in 60's terms, more like the Animals than the Hollies.
Anyway, I love it and recommend it.

I too have followed the Pretty Things since their first release. The one thing consistent about this band was their inconsistency in musical paths. That's what made them , and still makes them , so darned interesting. The first couple albums sounded nothing like the middle few . S.F. Sorrow was unlike anything at the time , Pretty Things or no Pretty Things. And their sparse but great late career discs sound refreshingly new. I enjoyed this album alot. It finds it's way into the changer monthly , and that is more than I can say for a bunch of discs taking up shelf space. If you're a true Pretty Things fan , you too will enjoy this simply for the fact that it DOESN'T sound like a Pretty Things disc. But then again , what does ?

Many of you know about the connection between the Stones and the Pretty Things. Guitarist Dick Taylor left Mick Jagger and crew just prior to the Stone's first record release. The rest as they say, is history. I thought 'Balboa Island' was way better than their 1999 comeback 'Rage...Before Beauty' disc. I listened to this CD plenty of times before reviewing it. About every track here has something to offer the old school fans. Some cuts that actually sound as though they might've been recorded in the late '60's are "The Beat Goes On", "Pretty Beat" and the hippie-like "All Light Up". Other good songs include the bluesy "Living In My Skin", the eight-minute "(Blues For) Robert Johnson)", "Buried Alive" which features nice harmony vocals and good guitar riffs, their decent cover of Bob Dylan's "Ballad Of Hollis Brown" and "Feel Like Going Home" which sort of reminded me of the Stones or maybe Ten Years After. A definite should-have title by this long running under-appreciated British psychedelic / blues band.

After reading some of the reviews around here I like an idiot stalled getting it. Then I read the feature about it in The New Ugly Things magazine and how they knew they had a Classic in the making. I then had to get it immediately. Were one of my top 5 greatest bands of all time getting senile or something. The New York Dolls had alrady proved themselves with a fantastic comeback album(who woulda thought??)But after reading the article of the making of this they seemed just as cool and knowledgable as these genious's always were. When I heard the first few notes of The Beat Goes On I could tell I just got my money's worth. WOW,what a knockout punch that and "Livin in my Skin" certainly are. Now I'm launched into Pretty Things Land and who cares anymore. Yes,do not believe every review you read. It could be any psycho intent on spoiling your day. But do believe mine!

Although the Pretty Things' latest album "Balboa Island" was recorded over a much shorter period than the previous "Rage Before Beauty" it actually comes out slightly less homogeneous.

The numbers fluctuate a lot in genre from clean blues, over gospel, heavy-rock to classic 1960s rock.

The songwriting is when it's best really great, but there are some tracks that may not be that interesting in length.

Vocally album also seems a little uneven. On some tracks it can be difficult to recognize Phil May's voice, which is perhaps the group's main brand.

The album's first three tracks show the group from its hard-hitting hand - in fact it is on these tracks that you can be in doubt that it is May's voice you hear. The numbers are okay, but nothing more.

The long half acoustic and somewhat monotonous "Robert Johnson" is pure classic blues. A rather lengthy case, many will probably think.

It is first at the unpretentious "Pretty Beat" I really think I recognize the group and not least May's voice. Absolutely one of the best track on the album.

Then comes "In the Beginning", a melodic blues that is both moving and has the classic Pretty Things sound - with a little unexpected female choir.

The Bo Diddley-inspired "Mimi" could almost have been generated from the band's first album - not much studio finesse to find here - not meant as a negative comment!!

"Feel Like Going Home" could almost be taken from Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac - with Jeremy Spencer.

The very simple early Bob Dylan song "Hollis Brown" is in spite of its six and a half minutes never boring and is another of the strongest tracks of the album. A version of the song that should make Dylan proud.

"Freedom Song" is a gospel-blues - a number that may appear as a sort of evaluation of a long life on the go. Nice vocal performance.

Very surprisingly, follows the Badfinger-inspired "Dearly Beloved" - one of the most melodic songs the group has recorded and also one of the major highlights of the album - even though May's vocals may well seem a little worn at certain places.

"All Light Up" with some controversial lyrics - comes from a maxi-single released already in 1999. 1960-70-sound - very retro.

The almost folk-like title track finishes a solid - at places great - album and the group shows that it is still worth listening to and that they have much more to offer.

that is for sure . As good and fun as Rage Before Beauty , PT's get better with age and so refreshing that i can't get them off my cd player . There are no works , only ears for these guys ... Love Then

This is an autobiographical album that covers all phases of their career from the proto-punk/garage rock of their first two albums,the psychedelia of "S F Sorrow", the Beatles meets Hendrix pre-glam rock of "Parachute", "Freeway Madness", and "Silk Torpedo", the new wave of "Cross Talk", and finally the retrun to their roots of "Rage Before Beauty". Phil May reflects on the history of the himself and the Pretties making statements such as "...your day is done". He refers to the Dartford Delta and stealing the blues as well as Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys (a name used by an embryonic version of the Stones). If you are looking for an album with lots of guitar solos, you are looking in the work place. This is an album where the songs and their lyrics are what make the album. The songs show Phil May's view of the world from a more mature perspective. In his song "Buried Alive" he sings about fleeing the city. He refers to racists, bigots, and spineless politicians who are letting the world go to hell. Constrast this song with the attitude toward city life indicated on "Parachute" (1970). The song "Robert Johnson" is a tribute to a seminal influence in modern blues. It is not in Robert Johnson's style nor does it mention his name. It does allude to some lines out of his songs. Another song on the album is similar to Johnson's "Walking Blues" The Dylan cover "Hollis Brown" fits the mood of the album. It is mostly accompanied by acoustic guitar in the style played by Dylan. Some harmonica comes in toward the close of the song. The mood of the song is perfect for telling the story of a destitute farmer and his family. A trumpet is used in some songs such in the ending of "The Beat Goes On" (not the Sonny and Cher tune). "Dearly Beloved" has a Beatlesque feel to it with bassist Allen Waller providing some background vocals (sounds a little like Rod Stewart). Another song has a New Orleans jazz/blues feeling using a trumpet and having Dick Taylor provide banjo. This album is stark in its mood without being depressing. The instruments are there for accompaniment. Listen to the songs. Remember, "Music From Big Pink" by the Band has no guitar solos and it was a great album.

I so wanted this to be a great album, especially after the disappointment of "Rage". There are some quite good tracks here and would disagree with the first reviewer that it has no merit at all. Phil Mays vocals are a bit patchy, somes tracks great but others are lacking.I quite like the version of "Hollis Brown", however I dragged out the original and realised it didn't have anywhere near the intensity of Dylans vocal delivery. I hope that with further listenings it will grow on me, however if this was a school report, I'd have to say "could do better"

Being a rabid PTs fan since the 1st album was released back in '65 when I was 15 years old, I was so surprised and excited that these guys were gonna release a new CD. But that enthusiasm was sequelched after I got through the 1st 3 tracks (all 3 uneventful, but nicely produced) of this disc. By the 4th track (Blues for Robert Johnson), I was supremely let down - what a total waste of 8 mins. This track just meanders and never goes anywhere. Hollis Brown - why in the world would you cover Dylan and add nothing to it (See Mr. Bryan Ferry's Dylanesque to find out how this is done right!!!). The main problem with this CD is that for an band that is known as a 6 piece, two guitar outfit - there is virtually no lead guitar(or much electric guitar or keyboard work)on any cut(not counting the 3 yr old All Light Up or it's throwaway B side Pretty Beat). Drab & depressing, a vintage rock band that has lost their direction and their balls as well. Just bloody awfull -- and who is this CD aimed at? Certainly not die hard fans like myself and I can't imagine anyone new getting on board after this disaster (note cover!!). Even Little Stevens Underground on Sirius Radio - a big supporter of the PTs, the only place I've ever heard their stuff played, isn't touching this. PTs RIP. :@(