Customer Reviews

Best Of: World Without Gravity

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Jim Carroll's personality comes through strong in his poetry and famous "Basketball Diaries", but seemingly even stronger in his music. To read about this guy's unbelievable experiences is one thing, but to hear him put work them into songs with a 70's punk flavor is another thing entirely. "People Who Died", "Crow", and "Catholic Boy" are probably the most autobiographical songs in Caroll's canon. One is never sure of Carroll's position on his extensive drug use. In a "World Without Gravity" there is a catching lyric "We need some pure pure white/Yeah we can nod all night" and only after one hears it a few times does one realize just what he's making reference to. I've always wondered what Carroll would himself say about drug use in general as a result of his experiences. The closest you'll get is this album and his other ones, since in the diaries and poems he is flippant with the issue. All in all this is a great album, the smartass junkie tongue coming through loud and clear with a kind of existential abrasiveness that reminds us:Carroll still has the rebellious heart of the teenager and twentysomething he once was.

In 1984 James Spader & Robert Downey (this movie is so old school the he wasn't even a JR yet) starred in a movie called
Tuff Turf and in that movie there is a scene in a warhouse where this band was playing live and I heard Voices for the first time
Jim Carroll was the voice I heard and the Jim Carroll band was the band I fell in love with. If you buy this CD at no time will it disappoint you.

If you love Jim's books you'll really love his music. Many people stilldon't know he made 3 albums in the 80's. This compilation by Rhino features all the best from his 3 albums including People who Died and City Drops into the Night.

I learned that lyrics mattered when I found Jim Carroll for the first time with People Who Died and It's Too Late. This CD includes his best know songs and songs that deserve to be heard. For something new, Jim Carroll fans can take a listen to his live version of City Drops Into the Night or the previously unreleased Differing Touch. New fans should take a listen to Lorraine, Catholic Boy, or Jelous Twin. This CD is a feast for the ears and mind and the inclusion of lyrics in the liner notes is a real plus. If you've wondered whether Jim had more songs beyond People Who Died, the answer is yes, and hear they are.

I learned that lyrics mattered when I found Jim Carroll for the first time with People Who Died and It's Too Late. This CD includes his best know songs and a pile of songs that deserve to be heard. For something new, Jim Carroll fans can take a listen to his live version of City Drops Into the Night or the previously unreleased Differing Touch. New fans should take a listen to Lorraine, Catholic Boy, or Jelous Twin. This CD is a feast for the ears and mind and the inclusion of lyrics in the liner notes is a real plus. If you've wondered whether Jim had more songs beyond People Who Died, the answer is yes, and hear they are.

Jim Carroll is by far my favourite writer. Read some of his poetry or his famous diary and you'll understand.
As a fan, i bought his band's cds as well...what can i say? It sound so 80s in a way, you can feel N.Y.C's 5 boroughs in it, and tight punky jeans with dirty white converse shoes...
The music is ok (honest 80s garage-rock) but lyrics are the best...lyrics are top!
Read some of his books before buying this album!

Even those who know and love Jim Carroll best would describe his
music and poetry a "CULT" thing. WHY? I don't know. I can't
figure why these songs aren't perennial "80's punk."

Although Carroll's music has been successful, maybe the number of those who appreciate it as POETRY is limited, and maybe that's it's labeled "CULT." You can't turn poetry on in the background like a CD--you have to involve yourself in it. And THAT'S the best way to experience this CD.

I like this better than anything else Jim's done. The music didn't thrill at first, but when I opened the cover and read the lyrics along with the music, I was hooked, AMAZED at how I hadn't really been listening.

Carroll once mentioned that he can sometimes enjoy poetry on paper, but not when it's performed, and that some poets do it for him in performance, but not in a book. JIM, if you ever read this: I THOUGHT you did it for me on paper, but I didn't know what enjoying your poetry was until I heard THESE poems lyricized and told in your voice.

I bought Catholic Boy back in the day and at some point it disappeared from my record collection. Watched The Basketball Diaries a couple of weeks ago and realized that I really missed these songs. Jim was a really multi talented guy and these songs are just great punk poetry.

I was very pleased with this purchase. It was a Christmas present for my boyfriend and he simply loves it.

I was first introduced to the Jim Carroll band through the movie Tuff Turff and was instantly hooked. I searched for quite some time before finally discovering this CD on Amazon. This is one of those rare albums that you won't want to skip any of the songs. If you're unsure of the music I recommend previewing a few songs, I prefer YouTube for this. In conclusion I find this to be a god value for the money.