Customer Reviews

Can't Stand The Rezillos: The (Almost) Complete Rezillos

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some of the other reviewers cite this album as a must-have for any punk or psychobilly collection. I agree--but really, it's a must-have for *any* collection!

My boyfriend asked me for a Rezillos CD for his birthday, so I bought this one. I'd never heard of them before, so after he'd blown out his candles and disposed of the pile of wrapping paper on the floor, we popped the album in for a listen. Madness ensued. 75 minutes later (give or take), I knew I had a new favorite band. I listened to Can't Stand the Rezillos during my 45-minute commute a couple of days later, and it ended up accompanying me to work every day for the next two weeks. I just couldn't take it out of the CD player--I mean, what could beat cruising down the freeway at 80mph, dancing and singing along with the most fun band that ever existed?

The Rezillos are reminiscent of a weird Ramones/B-52s amalgamation--as fun as the Ramones, but more coherent--and as weird as the B-52s, but in my opinion much more listenable. They are, to me, the best possible combination of punk and new wave the late 70s had to offer. The distinctive style of the Rezillos' music, combined with stellar bass lines and enthusiastic vocals, makes for a non-stop barrage of super-fun songs that will make you want to jump around and dance--no matter how many of your fellow motorists on the highway are pointing and laughing at you while you do it.

I have listened to Can't Stand the Rezillos for years now. It is a definite Top Fiver for me, and my top five is some thing that changes with time. Can't Stand the Rezillos is a staple record that just wont budge. It is such a complete body of work, and is always going to be one of my favorite records.

The Rezillos (later The Revillos) exemplilfy what fun, melodic punk is all about. Peaking in the late 70s, their themes revolve things like flying saucers ("Flying Saucer Attack"), the usual frustrations associated with love ("Can't Stand My Baby") and wacky cover songs ("Someone's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In", "I Like It"). The male/female vocals adds even more versatility to their sound, and their covers always best the originals.

Upbeat, goofy, and often quite clever, this has earned a special place in punk rock history as music just about anybody can enjoy. The Rezillos have enough of their sound in the past (via their covers), and the future (via their words) to make for a musical roller coaster ride you don't want to leave. Needless to say, not too many people can honestly say that they "can't stand the Rezillos."

Weilrd name, odd tunes, great record.

I was completely blown away when I received this CD, it is the best thing that I have ever bought for so little money. When I get CDs, I have to skip through songs to get to few that I actually really enjoy... I didn't skip through any of the songs on this CD once! This is honestly a really great buy... if you can't decide whether or not to buy it- buy it, you won't be sorry!

The Rezillos were a little heard of band of scots. This album has the best Lead/Rhythm guitar sound and mix ever. Jo Callis, (the guitarist) sounds awesome. His chords are not just all boring bar chords, he uses 7ths and other interesting progressions. Simon Templar is without a doubt the best Punk bassist of all time. He plays with a plectrum (pick for you americans) has a nice trebly clank to his sound and is fast, accurate and entertaining. As good as Mark King from Level 42 but with a pick. Simply outstanding! Solid , well mixed drums with excellent cymbal usage, in fact every high-hat hit can be clearly heard over the sound. This really does kick ...! Buy it, listen to it at full volume in your car for 2 or three days straight. You will be absolutely amazed at how damn good these guys really were!

actually, I will do anything the Rezillos tell me to do because they are really that good. If you actually can't stand the Rezillos then you are worthless and should leave our atmosphere and move somewhere where you cannot waste the good people's air. Ok, that was mean, but seriously, from the first moment that I heard this CD, I was hooked like a heroin addict.

There is not one song on this CD that is not utterly top-notch. 'Flying Saucer Attack' is a catchy song about, wait for it, wait for it: Flying Saucers attacking us and "frying us alive." It might be the best song of the CD, and it might be the best song ever. 'Somebody's Gonna get their Head Kicked in' is an angry song, without the female vox, but is still catchy as hell and worth by itself the cost of the entire CD. 'Top of the Pops' is nothing short of stellar. I have no idea what '2000 A.D.' is about, but it is still a mighty catchy song. Hell, even the cover songs are done in a top-notch manner.

The music transcends the simple punk-power chord structure and moves into a realm of utter perfection. The vocals are all done exactly as they should be, mixing male and female vox to create an extremely cohesive medley. Then the bassist is amazing. He provides a perfect texture for the band to play over, while at the same time demonstrating his own skills. The guitar is at times simple, but jumps into more complicated rhythyms and the occaisional solo.

There is nothing wrong with this album. Get it or forever be deprived of one of the best sounds to ever come out of your speakers.

man...great bass player, I don't know the name of that guy but I just can't get out of my head those insane rythms. buy it or somebody's gona get their head kicked in tonight!!!...moron!

Screaming guitar lines and precise bass. If you are a fan of power pop, you'll like this record. It's a shame they don't have a sample of "My Baby Does Good Sculptures" because the guitar and bass solo in the middle of the song is thrash-dance inducing. You admire the speed and skill of the players, and the sheer joy they exhibit. What separates this album from the rest of the power-pop genre is the energy (not wall of sound, but precise lines), and what separates it from punk is the precision. It's a great album. Okay, Fay Fife's vocals are a little scarecrowish, but just concentrate on the guitar and bass [it won't be hard] and you'll be carried away by the fun. By the way, when you're putting together music for the gym, the answer is always an excerpt from the Rezillos.

If you want to hear *authentic* punk that wasn't 1977s new-wave version of The Monkees, then check out this esoteric find, The Rezillos. First of all, Fay Fife has this beautiful voice, which sounds like she was some 12 year old lifted out of the Vienna Boys' Choir -- gorgeous falsetto, though from a punker chick. The tunes are out of the Ramones/Buzzcocks mold, and have much more of an edge than on contemporary Sex Pistols or Clash releases. Esp. pleasing are "Bad Guy Reaction," "Flying Saucer Attack," and a killer cover of the Dave Clark Five staple "Glad All Over." The Rezillos disappeared after this one, resurfaced for a spell as The Revillos.

However, this captures all their raw energy and is a great window on early UK punk.

If you like fast guitars and possibly even faster vocals, the original "Can't Stand the Rezillos" (with free liner/poster with cool cartoony drawing of the band in pics of all the tracks) is beyond awesome. This album though throws in much more including the live album "Hello, Glasgow!" and great singles and B-sides. If you love pop, and I mean the kind that never got played on the radio, this is the best album of the '70s UK New Wave scene next to the Buzzcocks' "Singles Going Steady."