Customer Reviews

From the Cradle

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Yeah, I don't regret that title. This release is breathtaking, from the opening fifty second long instrumental to the final sixteen-minute title track that ranks among the ten greatest songs ever recorded by anyone, regardless of genre. It's not just Dick's lyrics, brilliant as always, that make this album a classic, but also the music, constantly changing pace and tone, from the upbeat ska/reggae of "Us Fish Must Swin Together" to the threatening "Wake Up Screaming" to the relentless "Reality Is Waiting For A Bus." And then there's the title track, combining the best of all genres of music the Subhumans ever experimented with, tied together by wonderful lyrics and a dozen catchy riffs that disappear almost as soon as they appear, perhaps never to return. And, best of all, the filler that plagued past Subhumans releases ("Zyklon-B-Movie," "Powergames" and almost the entire Time Flies E.P, to name a few) is nowhere to be found. Buy it now, you definitely will not regret it.

What to say? The Subhumans are just the best. And this is their best record. Albeit, other albums have more standout tracks (Time Flies/Rats specifically), but as a single coherent entity, "From the Cradle to the Grave" is the top of the heap. The lyrics are typically mind-blowing, and their musical approach is much more mature than the early days without losing their intensity (which, in my opinion, fizzled out with the lyrically breathtaking but musically stagnant "Worlds Apart"). If I were ever to get a band tattoo, it would be for these guys, despite the fact that their skull logo isn't the most impressive of artwork. That is about the strongest praise I can give. Blast it, devour it, make it your manifesto.

Only to be compared to Pink Floyd's "Animals" or Dylan's "Bringing it All Back Home," this album defies categorization and reigns down upon any other album of the 80's. Dick Lucas is a poet/lyricist genius who is underappreciated and overlooked, and it's a good thing he didnt stop with the Subhumans, carrying on with Culture Shock and later Citizen Fish. CF tours about once every 4 years, so if you're lucky enough to catch them, and the spirit of the Subhumans, please do. The almost 20 minute title track opus is one of rock's top ten songs of all time, and anyone who considers themselves a music fan should own this album, if not Dick Lucas' entire catalog.

Green Day get all the credit for "American Idiot", but the Subhumans already made a punkrock opera 20 years (!) earlier.
"From the Cradle to the Grave" Is a cross between traditional old school punk and Progressive Rock. They made it work. They were very talented musicians for punks (this is a faaaar cry from The Ramones) and this is maybe their highlight. The only thing that makes this punk is the Cockney Accent of the Singer.
The songs are awesome, and oooh man those titles! "Reality is waiting for a bus", "us fish must swim together", and off course the 17 minute title track "From the cradle to the grave". thats SEVENTEEN minutes, Green Day eat your heart out!

From the Cradle to the Grave is in my opinion, the best punk album ever.From start to finish this album never let's you down.
the talent is unbelievable, and the song structures are perfect. i have this on 12" vinyl, and it is one of my favorite albums. the only other punk band on the Subhumans level is the Dead Kennedys, but they're great anyway. BUY THIS ALBUM EVEN IF YOU DON'T REALLY LISTEN TO ALOT OF PUNK ROCK. YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!!!!!!!!
top 5 albums
5.Slint-Spiderland
4.Subhumans-From the Cradle to the Grave
3.The Minutemen-Double nickels on the Dime
2.Dinosaur Jr.-Your living all over me
1.Sonic Youth-Daydream Nation or Paul's boutique by the Beatie boys

Arguably the Subhumans at their artistic peak. This album shows that the category "punk" is narrow and meaningless, for "From the Cradle to the Grave" is quite able to stand alongside some of the classic concept albums that were made ten to fifteen years before its release, like The Who's "Sell Out" or Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon". Very impressive, both musically and lyrically.

subhumans were always one of the best of the anarcho bands from the early 80's.this , their second full length, see's them with a fuller production and more structured song writing than on earlier releases.
I remember seeing them live at around the time of this l.p's release
and they played the title track in it's 16 minute entirety as the
finale of their set. this album brought back fond memories for me. A
great record by a great band, who are still as good now as they were way back then. check out their "live in a dive" cd if you need proof.buy this
you won't regret it.

This albums just never seems to grow old. As English punk goes this is amongst my favorite band. Subhumans deliver great great lyrics, rythmic tunes filled with melody yet wonderfully dischord and loud. Blending speedy punk and a reggae style is their signature.

This album is sheer briliance. In my opinion, its Subhumans best. From the 1st instrumental track, to the final, mesmorizing title track... you'll see why subhumans are considered such a great british punk band. This album also showcases their tremendous musical ability. Its not 3 chord dribble like others (namely the sex pistols), its well constructed music with a message. Buy this album, it will not dissapoint.

You must experience this album from the subhumans. Real punk. Real people. Real cool. like I said you must experience their music, read the lyrics thats what makes them what they are. their so good, that an exageration cannot top the truth.