Customer Reviews

Creatures of Leisure

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The Mentals are an awesome little pop band. Their pop, like much of their painting, is pretty nifty art. This band manages to be unpretentious while pursuing some of the most adventurous songs in the catalogue of pop and rock. There was a "famous" review in an English rock mag. that said the Mentals put more ideas into any one song than the average band put in an album. Very true. They can, however, be erratic, and sometimes lean to the twee. But you won't find a song that doesn't have significant redeeming features. This is classic rock/pop. And Creatures of Leisure is probably their best work. You might also seek out their first LP, "Get Wet", or one of the hits packages.

Since I first bought it on vinyl in 1983, "Creatures of Leisure" has been one of my all-time favorite albums by one of my all-time favorite bands. I became acquainted with the Mentals, as many in the U.S. did, from their hit single, "If You Leave Me, Can I Come Too?" This albums expands on that sound and their lyrical sense of irony. Cuts such as "Spirit Got Lost","Brain Brain", and "Close Again" show the Mentals can turn a clever phrase with the best of 'em. The music falls into that broad category of pop/rock with touches of country and Western swing (with an Australian slant); the songs are catchy (and singable) throughout and have a durability--16 years after their initial release--that belies the band's "zany" name, bordering on timeless. This album remains one of the overlooked classic gems of the 1980's (it also makes for great road music when traveling through New Mexico and west Texas). If you like intelligent (and quirky), tuneful pop, get "Creatures of Leisure"; you won't be disappointed.

I haven't heard the Mental's recent stuff, but this is a classic pop/rock album. I love Cats and Dogs as well, but this album has an even richer, more subtle texture and, like Cats and Dogs, one great song after another. Hard to pick favorites; it's changed over the years. I remember I first heard the Lp at a party in 1983, and I was blown away. I asked the host what it was, and I was surprised I'd never even heard of them. I immediate purchased, and have purchased four others over the years. This is still my favorite, with Cats and Dogs a close second. If you missed them, and still love great pop/rock, Creatures of Leisure is not to be missed.

One of my favorite albums of the early 80s. Seamless and timeless album. These guys weaved many different influences into a tight style that was all their own. Just one problem: the American LP had a great version of Orbison's "Working For the Man." Where is it!

On vinyl this *was* the album I could play day after day, year after year. Folks new to this won't miss the changes, but if you loved the US vinyl version, be prepared. The CD is not as good as the US LP. The songs are different, additions *and* subtractions. The CD packaging/liner art is poor. The artwork on the vinyl album liner (done by one of the band members) was outstanding, and totally complemented the music (one piece of art per song). It mystifies me as to why they would have changed a single thing! Buy it anyway, you will not regret getting this!