Customer Reviews

Big Heat

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...I was actually seriously riveted by the opener title track, and what ensued. And this wasn't just nostalgia either.

True, this album has dated fairly badly, with it's over reliance on very "80's" synthesiser sounds, but in truth this stuff should have sounded anachronistic, or amateurish even back in '87. So, what gives? Why is this still a cracking good album in 2002?

Well, you can't match song writing of this calibre in any time. Each track bleeds a wonderfully cynical, observational humour, and it doesn't matter what instruments they are played on, or when, because Stan really knows how to `tell' a song, much like the great Tom Waits or even Randy Newman.

True, `Camouflage' sounds a bit dumb now, but then it was always a bit of a novelty track (a good one, mind - but the CD doesn't contain the William Orbit remix - how far ahead of his time was Stan with that one?! Think Madonna's recent Orbit inspired renaissance? ) and, anyway, it's far from the standout track here.

The really good stuff, is the awesomely atmospheric "film noir" title track, the splendidly cynical "Pick It Up And Put It In Your Pocket", the understated jazz of "Walkin' Home Alone", the superbly tight rock posturing (with great Chandleresque storytelling) of "Just Drive She Said", the still timely sequencer charged "Salesman", and the suitably twisted er, "Twisted".

Lots to enjoy here really. Even the tracks that sounded daft 15 years ago ("Pile Driver") sound like there's a fairly telling truth in there when you strip away the melodrama.

Here's a seemingly forgotten album that truly deserves a second go, and to think this isn't anywhere near Stan's best work either...

Short and simple, Stan's "The Big Heat" is great music.

"The Big Heat" is a no brainer obvious reflection on those boring days in Mojave Desert's Barstow when Stan read crime novels. The haunting keyboards and background vocals of the title track are as much a stand out feature of this CD as is the whimsical and calypso-esk "Rio Greyhound." "Camouflage" has a distinct CW McCall ring to it. Dated to be sure, "Camouflage" is a bit out there even for this Vietnam Era troop but it's worth a spin. Listen to the bonus track, "Foggy River," to see the effect listening to Johnny Cash had on Stan.

A true piece of art, "The Big Heat" is a most worthy addition to your new wave era collection.

You can't buy this album anywhere in Canada any more. I ownedit, loved it and played it until it was eaten by a rogue tape deck inthe late '80s. Stan is an amazing story teller. His "road block" on the "Party Ball" album is a wonderful tale about a town that bands together to build a roadblock to be proud of in order to end the cross country reign of terror caused by the "death car". The story ends in shame when they shoot up the wrong car. I began looking for "the big heat" a year ago when a beer commercial featuring a woman changing clothes in the back of a cab reminded me of the wonderful story telling in Stan's "Just drive she said".

Stan Ridgway is a true 'unknown legend.' His quirky delivery, luscious melodies, funny and ironic lyrics should be enjoyed on a daily basis. Or maybe I just like singer/songwriters who write great songs, have off-beat deliveries, and play harmonica to boot (see: Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, et.al.).

'Camouflage' is worth the price of admission all by itself, but wait until you hear 'Pile Driver' or the bonus tracks 'Foggy River' and 'Nadine'. Then go out and buy his 'Mosquitos' or 'Snakebite'. Stan's a gem, a real black diamond.

I first heard this album in 1986 after hearing Mexican Radio on the telly and when we were not able to get the Wall of Voodoo album we ended up with this - i've loved it ever since. Lost my copy in a divorce and found it again on a tape in a sale - only to have my car stolen with it inside. Thank god for Amazon. Stannard's songs make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I guess i like music that makes me feel strong emotions, even creepiness, in the same way Don Macleans song the Grave conveys death on a battlefield. And like Bowie's little ditty Please Mr gravedigger. And its not just the sinister, but also wierdly eccentric in a fascinating way. Twisted is just so far out there, leaving you to identify with the twisted or tormenter. Great album if you like your music to have character.

ridgeway puts quirky, interesting stories to music. his voice and arrangements are acquired tastes, but are well-worth acquiring. for those who know nothing of him, ridgeway's style is something like, say, "smith's meet peter gabriel." history has not treated this album kindly, and many may consider it an la-oddity of the 80's k-rock variety but i rate it as the best album of the 1980's--eclipsing peter gabriel's "security", the smith's "strangeways . . .", u2's "joshua tree", and rem's "fables . . ." & "life's rich pageant"--just to give you an idea where i'm coming from.

It's different and it's dated, but it's also timeless. I could do without the extra tracks that weren't of the original, but i guess that is what the skip function is for.

Wall of Voodoo (WofV) was a fantastic group, and Stan, former singer and mastermind of the group, continues that tradition. These post-WofV recordings demonstrate clearly that Stan was the heart of WofV. The tunes contained on this CD are not the synthesized pop tunes of WofV, but they convey an inherent understanding of both the harshness and tenderness of everyday experience. He's definitely a story teller who encapsulates a wide variety of the working man's experience in the lyrics of a song.

You won't be dancing to his songs, but if you listen to the words and the feeling he breathes into them, you'll find it remarkably easy to relate in a special way to Stan, the people in his songs, and to yourself a bit more. They are moving songs of truth and insight.

Great stuff!

If you like Wall you'll love this album. The songs are fun, catchy, and unique.

Great old 80's classic LA new wave that rarely gets radio play. Title tune and one called Camoflage, which is especially relevant when our nation is locked in a futile, stagnant war of attrition. The songs offer a glimpse into the seedier and less expressed worlds that Madonna and Shakira don't really address. I highly recommend a listen to Stan (more well known for his work as the leadman for Wall of Voodoo).