Customer Reviews

Bastards

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a hardcore Saigon Kick fan, I was not disappointed in the overall sound of this album. There are a few songs that are duds, but a few that I really liked...mind you, they sound like later-day Saigon Kick (circa "Devil In The Details"), and not much their first classic 2 cds. With that said, I can't beleive how high the price has been on this cd since it was available in Japan as a import-only release. So as value for the money, only the MOST DIE HARD of fans will not feel like they've been ripped off. I would say wait until the price goes down..but it hasn't for years, so now I would say, "get it before it goes out of print", if you have to have everything in the Saigon Kick library. By the way, stay away from their "Live" cd, which I reviewed as well. It sounds as bad as an illegal bootleg.

When i first saw that saigon kick had a new release out I immediantly picked it up. Being along time fan I love all there work ,but this one left alittle to be desired. theres not enough guitar on this cd for me. It's kind of like water without all the guitars. If your a new fan check out devil inthe details or the lizard first then pick this one up. If your a old fan pick it up anyway it's still a very good album musiclly.

I've been waiting for this album for about 4 years and to say the least it's nothing more than a total disapointment!!!If you liked Devil in the Details,and water the chances of you enjoying this album are very,very slim.I can only hope that the next SK cd makes up for this mindless garbage.some of the songs are: CONSCIENCE,BIG SHOT(my personal fav),NEARER,SO SAD TO SAY,and SIGN OF THE TIMES. Jason's other band Super Transatlantic has a cd coming out any time called "Shuttlecock".This cd will not let you down.as far as bastards is concerned,it's better off on a shelf collecting dust!

Saigon Kick are definitely right near the top of my list of favourite bands, but not due to this release. While not a disaster by any stretch of the imagination, "Bastards" just... well it really doesn't sound like Saigon Kick. The only things that really tell you it's a Saigon Kick album are the cover and Jason Beiler's vocals. While previous Saigon kick albums were packed with variety and great hooks, "Bastards", rather sadly, is pretty much your standard straight ahead modern rock record. That's not to say it's worthless or even particularly poorly constructed, it's just faceless. To be honest it's still better than plenty of other albums out there of it's ilk, but it doesn't contain anything that makes you sit up and take notice.

Who or what does it sound like? Well if I had to compare it to some of the Saigon Kick back-catalogue, the only song that could possibly fit on this album is "Everybody" off the Devil In The Details album. The closest thing that I can think of off the top of my head is the Supertransatlantic album, which is a bit of a shame as that was an average album at best. Bastards however, is a bit lighter and maybe even poppier, if that's possible.

Bastards is solid enough, but compared to the rest of the Saigon Kick's releases, is scraping, if not the bottom of the barrel, then a long ways down.

When I got this disc, it did not catch me right away. With each listen it has sounded better and better. It is a pretty straight forward rock effort without the experimentation of Water and DITD. If you are a fan of their previous work, I would say that it is worth checking out. It is a little pricey because it is a Japanese import but it has become a welcome addition to my SK library. Just don't judge it on one listen.

The final album by "Saigon Kick" released in 1999 is actually a very well-written and enjoyable body of work.
Admittedly, I wouldn't have liked this album when it came out. I would have simply dismissed it as not being heavy enough. But Jason Bieler, the man behind the curtain, proves to be a crafty writer when left to his own devices.
The songs from beginning to end have a more modern rock feel (as opposed to the over the top metal stylings of say, "The Lizard") and yet they do not foresake any of the SK trademarks: each track is heavily layered with great guitars, deep SK-style vocal harmonies and musicianship with a special emphasis on strong melodies. It may not be as heavy as previous releases, but to not even give it a chance would be a crime.
For me personally, I happen to LOVE this album. SK is one of my all-time favorite bands, and this albums' diversity
only adds to the legacy for me. Spin it...

I've tried to like/love this CD for years, and aside from a few bright spots...to me it just sounds like a Jason Bieler solo record or something, it's thin in many places and for the most part doesn't feature many key members. I remember liking the last song "Nearer" after the first listen and with it's inclusion really it just makes the album as a whole sound like there's only one good song after you hear it. I still think it's one of their best songs, and surprise!...Phil and Chris play on this one track. So there ya go, the album definitely has a different tone on just about every instrument it seems, drums and guitar are flat for the most part, not as tribal and heavy at all. I guess if this is the best "they" could do under the name, then it was time to call it quits after this.

Favs are of course "Nearer", "So Sad To Say" (nice ballad), "Sign Of The Times", "Solitary Jerk" , and "We Never Met".

I searched endlessly for this release. Finally, secured a new copy of it on Ebay. The price was up there, but wanted to own it, so I was willing to pay the price.

Not hearing any tracks until it arrived, it truely grew on me after a couple of spins. The first two releases of Saigon Kick were much heavier in guitar riffs. The third and fourth releases remained consistent as the band took somewhat of a different, yet, refreshing direction.

Bastards is defintely for the die hard fan, but all in all, a solid effort of rock with some great vocals by Jason. GET IT!! while it is still out there. The price as another reviewer said, is up there in the $$$, but it will not disappoint you.

We can hope upon hope that maybe Matt Kramer will rejoin with Jason and the the boys to once more create that magic that first drew us to them like LIZARDS!!

well, well, this cd comes as quite a surprise to me. it reminds me of NO other SK album. it basically reminds me of Jason doing rock and roll, without alot of the experimentation of the other albums. if saigon kick had any MTV support, id imagine this would be thier best selling album to date. the chorus' are VERY catchy and very radio friendly........givin the right radio station!

i personally prefer previous SK releases, but this is a must have for those who enjoy the music that jason puts out.

This has got to be one of the catchiest CD's I've heard in quite some time. Jason and Co. have done it again. It's amazing to hear each CD progress with various sounds. Although this one does not sound quite as experimental as Water or Devil in the Details, its sheer exuberance and energy are enough to please the hardest of SK fans, as well as win over some new ones.