Bloodbrothers

Dictators | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Wounded Bird Records
• ASIN: B000AP305W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,209 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Faster and Louder

2. Baby, Let's Twist

3. No Tomorrow

4. The Minnesota Strip

5. Stay with Me

6. I Stand Tall

7. Borneo Jimmy

8. What It Is

9. Slow Death

Editorial Reviews

This was the Dictators' third album, and their second for Elektra/Asylum. The band was energized after returning from a tour of England and being embraced by the emerging punk rock audience over there. As a result, almost 90 percent of this album was recorded live and, as such, stands as a good example of what the band sounded like on a good night. "Faster & Louder," and the kickoff track, feature an unannounced guest appearance from Bruce Springsteen on backing vocals, while "Baby, Let's Twist" features guitar work far more sophisticated than the title would lead you to believe. The band may have still been trying to cast themselves as the next logical extension of the MC5 and the Stooges, but Andy Shernoff's songwriting (especially on tunes like "No Tomorrow," "Stay With Me," and "Borneo Jimmy") shows infinitely more craft than mere Motor City knockoffs. The playing is self-assured and solid, the production is simple, raw, and direct. In many ways, this is the Dictators' rockingest and most musical album. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STANDING REALLY TALL, February 5, 2003

By 

Tim Brough "author and music buff" (Springfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bloodbrothers (Audio CD)

The Dictators make sure you know exactly what you're in for as soon as the music starts..."Faster And Louder!" This was the most forward of the Dic's three original albums and the closest they came to a mainstream sound. That being if you could call anything The Dictators did "mainstream." Their's was a take no prisoners attitude, with everything about "Bloodbrothers" being so sorely missing in music at the time of its release. In 1978, Punk was just beginning to come into its own and the whole CBGB's crowd was setting their sights on world domination.

That may have been to The Dictators' detriment. In a period when bands were deliberately trying to sound more garagey and nihilistic, Handsome Dick Manitoba and the boys were rocking polished and hard, more like Blue Oyster Cult than the Dead Boys. Despite being "Faster And Louder," this band was not trying to break punk rock's land speed records. A classic case of zigging when they should have zagged.

No matter. There were no other bands with this much panache, humor and ballsy fun coming out of NYC, and "Bloodbrothers" spends its nine songs without letting up on the throttle once. If you aren't out of breath by the end of The 'Tators' rip snorting cover of "Slow Death," then you'd better start the record over and start paying attention.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faster, Louder, Better, April 5, 2002

By 

Egebamyasi (Worcester, Ma United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bloodbrothers (Audio CD)

This is the absolute best Dictators album ever. It is also one of the bestrock and roll albums ever. Punk rock with real rock guitar leads. Humor, Tunes, and the Boss to boot. Great. Should be considered in all Top Rock Album Lists but is either forgotten orhasn't been heard. A must for any punk or hard rock fan.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars truly flawless, April 19, 2003

By 

Daniel Lloyd (Pittsfield, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bloodbrothers (Audio CD)

When I bought this cd I didn't really know what to expect....but then I gave it a spin and it totally blew me away! This is such a stunning fusion of styles, part punk, part metal, 110% awesome. Infectious energy abounds here; the first half makes a case for the Dictators being some of the best American punks, and it's truly flawless. The second portion is almost as good and a little poppier (I Stand Tall) (Borneo Jimmy). Sure, you can't call Handsome Dick a great vocalist, but that's not the point of this album. This put fun back into rock n roll, and it shows even after 20 years.