Customer Reviews

Chutzpah

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

 

 

Great job guys! I can't stop listening. I quite literally listened to the whole album - no skipping tracks - eight times on the first day. That's unheard of these days. To diehard WH fans that may feel a bit thrown off, just give it a few spins and it will sink in. It sounds like a natural progression from "The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed". ROCK!

I'm somewhat of a new-comer to the Wildhearts camp. I'd read about them numerous times in Classic Rock magazine but had never really heard any of their stuff. Then one day, on a whim, I picked up The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed and was floored by how good these guys were. Since then, I've had a field day picking up their back catalog as well as some amazing solo releases by Ginger.

I've had Chutzpah for only 4 days now, but I've probably listened through the entire thing at least 15 times. It's already my favorite cd of the year and probably my favorite Wildhearts album yet.

The first tune "The Jackson Whites" sets the tone for the whole record, which is heavy, rhythmic, and melodic. "The Only One," sung by bassist Scott Sorry, is one of those songs that you'll have stuck in your head for hours after just the 1st listen. This is one of those rare albums that doesn't contain even one weak song.

It's a shame these guys aren't huge here in the US.

Any fan of general rock music should buy this album. It's got everything... and more.

Ok ..longtime Wildhearts fan here.
First of all, just let me say I think The Wildhearts are the best rock band on the planet. Ginger is an amazing songwriter and its an injustice that they get zero airplay here in the USA while so many crappy bands do. But thats what happens when the record labels own the radio stations....

I actually thought long and hard about this review and could only give this cd two stars. Yes it pains me a bit to write this. But there are three songs on this cd that really stand out and have mixed feelings about the rest.
I think 'The Jackson Whites' is an EPIC song. One of the Wildhearts best of all time. I tear up my car speakers every time I play it.
'You Are Proof That Not All Women Are Insane' is a catchy rocking tune. But I have to admit, the verses remind me A LOT like old Blink-182. But a cool song nontheless.
'You Took The Sunshine From New York' is the other song I really like.
The rest of the album is the mixed bag that you typically get from a Wildheart cd that I usually like. With Ginger and the boys you can get a mix of thrash, punk, pop and a pretty ballad all on the same disk. But the other songs just don't hit me. Halfway through I find myself skipping them.
The song 'Chutzpah,' is a bit of a mess for me, although I do like some parts of it. It sounds like sections of several other songs haphazardly thrown together at the last minute in the studio. It has its moments, but just turns the corner for me too many times.

In my opinion, not one of their best, but still better than 99% of the garbage thats
being played now.

The most recent outing by The Wildhearts, 'Chutzpah!', feels reminiscent to that of 'The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed!' The album is clocks in a bit short of 40 minutes and is filled with short and average length songs as opposed to the 8-minute tracks we saw on their eponymous album. The difference lies in that this is less of a pop-rock album like '... Must Be Destroyed!', and is incorporates more balls out rock through and through with a few varying pop accents here and there.

The album opens with 'The Jackson Whites' immediately setting the tone for the album and is one of the best tracks featured. 'The Only One' stands out as the first single from 'Chutzpah!' and is sung by American bassist, Scott Sorry, in his surprisingly fitting lead vocal debut. 'John of Violence' features the classic Wildhearts lyrics with a synth-spiced chorus that is unexpected, but pleasing. Make no mistake though, these accents are set on the back-burner while the raw, guitar-driven rock shines up front. Another highlight and one of my personal favourite tracks from the album, 'You Took The Sunshine From New York,' is about as brilliant as pop-rock can get these days; it is a truly incredible song that everyone should hear. The remainder of the album remains consistent with not one song falling short of any other and still a few surprises in store (such as 'Low Energy Vortex').

The final track, which is also the title track, 'Chutzpah!' is an incredible climax of an incredible album. At first, the track is baffling as auto-tuned vocals start singing about the city being alive to a dance beat. This is short-lived, however, and a fast-paced, punk rock verse begins with the band spitting their vocals. Next comes the chorus, which you have partially familiarized yourself with in the intro of the song. The chorus seems like the humourous side of Ginger & Co. with the obvious auto-tune abuse being a stab at today's pop music. This does not deter from the song, however, in that the chorus is so incredibly catchy that it is impossible not to enjoy its limited appearance. The rest of the song is largely instrumental and takes quite a few different turns making this track easily one of the best on the album.

In sum, 'Chutzpah!' is an excellent product of an immensely talented and underrated band that has continued to make solid rock music in a sea of mediocre rock music for over 20 years.



The WiLDHEARTS - ¡Chutzpah! - 5/5 stars. Highly recommended.

Favourite tracks:

- The Jackson Whites
- Chutzpah!
- The Only One
- You Took The Sunshine From New York

This album is a must for any fan of good hard rock and roll. I was fortunate to be turned on to the Wildhearts by a famous singer from Britain right around the time P.H.U.Q. was released. Earth was the first record he let me borrow and have been hooked ever since. I have spent unknown amounts of money to get everything I could get my hands on as well as items from overseas provided by the mentioned singer.
Chutzpah continues to show that this band, in whatever line up it may be in, is amazing. I spread the word to whomever will listen and have converted a few but it will never be enough. The Wildhearts need to be heard in the states because I know they will get the attention they deserve if just heard.

Let me start this off by saying I love this band and have been a fan since their Earth vs. CD, a classic if there every was one. Ginger and the band have reunited some years back and have kept us on our toes with each release. One being mostly pop stuff, the next heavy of big riffs and fast rhythms and then they do a tribute Cd which was just one of those WTF moments. I have to admit I keep waiting for a release with their classic sound and songs and this has some of that but not enough to avoid hitting the next track button on several tunes. Don't get me wrong, this is still a very good release, just not as good as the 2007 self titled one. The CD starts great with "The Jackson Whites", Ginger doing his best James Hetfield imitation on a nice uptempo song. This is followed by "Plastic Jesus", the best track here. Other noteworthy entries are John of Violence, You Are Proof That Not All Women Are Insane, You Took the Sunshine from New York, and Mazel Tov Cocktail. The others tracks are filler or substandard Wildhearts material and for a CD that is just over 30 minutes long, that is disappointing. Still this is The WiLdhearts and I for one am glad they are still together and putting out some great music. If you are new to this band, pick up their 2007 release and then come back for this. It is still a very good CD.

Chutzpah is... brilliant!
BRAVO!!!
A must own desert island disc.
Easily the the best of 2009!
Play; repeat...
jd

Chutzpah is another great collection of songs from the Wildies and further demonstrates their supremacy in the realm of melodic, punk rock/ power pop. Is there another band besides the Beatles that have recorded so many classics? The difference of course is that sadly the Wildhearts remain criminally oblivious to the music buying public.
This album has it all. Melodic beauty, rampaging rock fury and a massive, massive sound. All killer no filler. Ginger remains the finest songwriter of his generation and the Wildhearts as a band are in top form on this outing. Don't like to pick favourites at this stage but The Jackson Whites, The Only One, Tim Smith and the inglorious title track are front runners so far. Its rare these days to listen to an album on repeat and even rarer to get that warm, innerglow feeling as the songs speak to your soul.
I can't really compare this to any other bands as I have yet to come across any that sound close to the Wildies. If you like the Foo Fighters, Volbeat, The Beatles and Red Kross and haven't heard the Wildhearts you may be pleasantly surprised. The Wildhearts back catalogue is vast and just as good as Chutzpah. Ginger writes a column on the Classic Rock website that looks at overlooked gems from bands that were also unappreciated. Kinda ironic. Hopefully Chutzpah will rectify this situation for the Wildhearts and the world will discover the beauty and passion of their music.

This is their best album since "Earth vs the wildhearts" they are back in top form here once again effortlessly combining heavy riffs and pop melodies.

This is the best album of the year, get it you will not regret it!