The Boy With the X-Ray Eyes

Babylon Zoo

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 19, 1996)
• Original Release Date: March 19, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000002U3R
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #221,165 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creates a unique mental atmosphere, November 18, 2001

By	I. L. Williamson (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I listen to this CD, it takes me to a place of its own. I guess that place would be Babylon Zoo. The playlist of the album is tight and solid, and the songs are darkly spacey. When I first came upon this CD years ago, I knew nothing of Babylon Zoo (which is basically just a "pen name" for Jas Mann). I heard the album at a listening station at a music store, and was quickly captivated. It sounded brilliant and I thought it would become more popular than it turned out to be. Jas may be pretentious, but that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable. Some other reviewers have made critical remarks about his voice. I find that his voice is similar to Billy Corgan's (of Smashing Pumpkins) in that they both sound very nasal. But I like Jas's voice better. I think it's more pleasing, and has more power. He's got a good range, and he doesn't sound like he's straining on the high notes like the vastly more popular Corgan sometimes does.

His second album, King Kong Groover, was released a couple years later (not in the US) and went largely unnoticed. One reason is probably because EMI didn't promote it well at all. And another may be because from what I've heard, he made some very egotistical remarks in the media which badly damaged and stunted his growing reputation. I don't have the second album, but I've had the pleasure of listening to the first track, which is a bit more melodious and glam than the songs on this album. I hope he eventually gets some good mainstream recognition (providing he's matured diplomatically). I read recently that he's in Los Angeles now, writing more music.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overlooked, September 30, 2006

By	Dara Sy (Albany, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I remember when I was a teenager just walking by this album because I was unsure what the rest of the album would've sounded. I had prefered other bands that were out and breaking at the time such as Gravity Kills, Fear Factory, and such but I always avoided this album. I had "Spaceman" on my Mortal Kombat Soundtrack and that was as far as I went. Now fast forward 10 years, I decided to buy the album and I am pleased with the purchased after listening. Such a shame that Jas Mann and Co decided to fall off the face of the earth after this. Although I hear the Zoo might be putting out another album sometime soon.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars London town is burning ..., August 10, 2002

By A Customer

I bought this CD a long long while ago (4 years?) mainly because I loved "Spaceman" off of the 2nd Mortal Kombat Soundtrack. This album perplexed and intrigued me like no other album before. I suppose you could describe the sound of The Boy With the X-Ray Eyes with something like a sci-fi Oasis. There are some beautiful and brilliant songs on here of worlds ending, souls selling, and drugs inducing. There are also some weak tracks that don't attract much attention ("Paris Green" & "Fire Guided Light" come to my mind). Personally - I'd recommend anyone to buy this record simply for track 10, "Is Your Soul for Sale".