Customer Reviews

Drastic Plastic

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

...it would be, "post punk, pre new wave, English science-fiction pop rock". Personally, this is one of my favorite albums of all time, probably due to the wonderful discoveries of adolescence. But even then, I had a hard time falling in love with a couple of these tracks. When this album was released, I was a guitar slinging teenage rocker, rebelling against all things disco and synthesized. Songs like "Electrical Language" and "Japan" (which for some reason is not in Amazon's track listing) just had too much synthesizer for me. I've later come to appreciate these tunes more, which is indicative of "Drastic Plastic" as a whole - a bit of an acquired taste. Bill Nelson's fantastic guitar prowess doesn't so much take a back seat as it does support each song...and the songs are what make this a GREAT album. That's not to say that he doesn't throw down with some fat-toned, heart-felt wickedness that has made him one of the world's best unknown guitarists (except those already in the know). These tunes are what I call "cream-of-the-crop pop". Every song is filled with catchy hooks that not only keep you listening, but stay in your head long after the stereo power button is turned off. "Panic in the World" is the best example because it's simple and catchy. The only problem is that Mr. Nelson crams so many words in some of the lines that it's hard to make out the words, but that is also one of the endearing quirks. And compared to much of Be bop's prior releases, it is more "quirky" - "left of center".
"Superenegmatix" is a nod to early punk rock (which when this was released, punk WAS early), "Dangerous Stranger" is reminiscent of Nick Lowe, "New Mysteries" musically brings to my mind a futuristic, mechanical, marching army, and "Island of the Dead", is a morbid love ballad. There is a lot of ground that Be Bop Deluxe covers on Drastic Plastic. I have not heard the unreleased tracks yet, but the price of admission is well worth the listening experience.

I bought this LP when it first came out in the late 70's. It's great, I'd rate it at 4 or 5 stars. But one thing that no one so far has commented on is the sound of the CD you get if you make this purchase, and that is important because after all this is a retail store. The LP had great production values with lots of sonic detail that made it an excellent LP to listen to on headphones. The CD reissued in 1990 in Holland, leased from EMI, that I bought new recently here at Amazon, is a different story altogether. The sound is muffled and muddy. Even the reproduction of the lyrics are blurry. No one listening to this CD would understand what I saw in the LP. I would recommend avoiding this particular CD reissue.

On this, the last Be Bop Deluxe album, Bill Nelson decreed "let there be more synthesizers." And there were more synthesizers. And Bill Nelson saw that it was good, and made this album a New Wave album with less electric guitar than previous albums and released it unto the people.

Who promptly freaked out.

This is the accepted liturgy of most Be Bop Deluxe fans, but it isn't exactly the truth. Why? Well, first of all, this isn't a New Wave album. And the guitars aren't eliminated or even toned down that much. Let me elaborate. This really is not a pure "New Wave" disc as only about half the songs on here have a futuristic, New Wave sound. Yes, songs like "New Precision" and "Electrical Language" are synth-heavy New Wavers. But "Islands of the Dead" could have come off of Sunburst Finish. "Love in Flames" *sounds* New Wavey on first listen, but slow down the tempo and it sounds like it could have come right out of the 60s with that organ and distorted guitar carrying on the whole song. So it's just a Psychedelic song on speed. "Dangerous Stranger" sounds like it could have come out the *50s*.

Guitars are not diminished on this album, you just don't get the Bill Nelson Wankery(tm) of previous efforts. The guitars and the synthesizers here are for the most part balanced nicely (just listen to "Panic in the World"). "Dangerous Stranger" has hardly any synths, if any at all. I think this album is more varied than people give it credit for. The songs do not all sound the same, but the whole thing doesn't lose cohesion; in fact it holds together just fine. In fact, this just might be my personal favorite Be Bop Deluxe album.

One final thought: this album had a bigger impact on rock music than people give it credit for, too. Examples? Gary Numan was influenced by this band and I think this album in particular (in fact he got Bill Nelson to produce his 1983 album Warriors). Listen to the first four albums by the Cars. Imagine Bill Nelson singing instead of Ric Ocasek. 'Nuff said.

Hardly the best work by this very musical and (woefully) short-lived band Be Bop Deluxe got onto the fame ladder with "Axe Victim", their '74 debut. With flashy costumery, garish eye makeup and loud rock and roll, Be Bop was initially pegged as a glitter/glam act. Leader Bill Nelson broke up the original band, though, regrouping with bassist Charles Tumehai, percussionist Simon Fox and keyboardist Andrew Clarke, the lineup heard here. When held up to the previous three efforts ("Futurama", "Sunburst Finish" and "Modern Music") "Drastic Plastic" comes up wanting. Nelson, Be Bop Deluxe's guitarist, lead vocalist and only songwriter, was attempting to update the band's sound with then-current production techniques, with mixed results. Where Nelson's earlier songs were catchy and enchanting the material on "Drastic Plastic" is darker and not as immediately accessable; this was one band picked to click but success on a grand scale eluded them and the grind of being an opening act with little or no promotional support had taken its toll by the time they recorded this, their fifth and final studio album (it was followed by "Live! In The Air Age", a superb live album and a greatest-hits package called "The Best Of The Rest").

Not as strong as their other efforts, "Drastic Plastic" is worth picking up to complete your library-Be Bop Deluxe never put out an album that sucked.

Nelson took a brave decision and opted for a change of direction on this, Be-Bop's 4th studio album. The songs are harder and lyrically more mature. 'Superenigmatix', 'Possession', 'New Mysteries' and 'Love in Flames' give a taste of what was to come - Red Noise. Twenty years later this album still sounds Modern. Buy it! Enjoy it! But remember, there's 'Panic In The World'.

The end of Be Bop Deluxe was this cd (okay, I bought it on 8-track when it came out). It does vary wildly from song to song and moment to moment. If you want a consistant experience, you would be better off trying Sunburst Finish. For someone who is a bit more musically adventurous, it is a trip worth taking. You do get the dread of the Island of the Dead, but unlike the American release of the lp (or 8-track), the follow-up tune of Japan is not included. A look through the notes tells you that it is on Raiding the Divine Archive, but not this release. From Drastic Plastic, the Red Noise lp/cd is more understandable. The shortness of the songs follows through in Red Noise as do the lack of strong guitar solos. Remember, this is Be Bop, not Deep Purple.

If you want an interesting trip now on cd or on your mp3, this is an adventurous one for you.

Be Bop Deluxe began in the era of glam rock, fueled by Bill Nelson's guitar histrionics and recurring themes of science fiction, romanticism (ie Shelley etc), desire. In retrospect, the band likely hit it's creative zenith with Sunburst Finish/Modern Music, but it was their live album that would sell the best.

Drastic Plastic is indeed the last for the band. I listen to it now and it is of course obvious that this had to be the end. It is a mishmash of their more guitar driven stuff with new tunes that featured synthesizers more prominently. It is not a cohesive album because it points to a post Be Bop Deluxe existence for Mr. Bill, where he would do it all himself.

But like pretty much anything else Bill Nelson does, it is always interesting enough to be worth the time. The band is at this point excellent together. Electrical Language is fusion of guitar with Kraftwerk. Love In Flames is hotdoggin Bill at his best. Panic in the World is a pop gem. If you already love this band, get this album. If not, get one of the other three I've mentioned to get started on an incredible career arc of a singular, often brilliant, musician who is still producing interesting work.

While some fans may find it's not the best(they have some points)it does jump around,still a good batch considering when it came out.With punk nipping at the heals of any established band at the time I think this is one of my favorites(and I like each one as it pertains to each release in the bands catalogue.The shape of things to come,(wait'l they get a listen to "Sound On Sound"-Hoo Boy!...A Nelsonian then....A Nelsonian now.

1978 - Harvest Records
Features : Bill Nelson / Andy Clark / Charlie Tumahai / Simon Fox
Songs Include :

Electical Language
New Precision
New Mysteries
Surreal Estate
Love In Flames
Panic In The World
Dangerous Stranger
Superenigmatix - Lethal Appliances For The Home With Everything
Japan
Possession
Islands Of The Dead

Track Listings
Side One:
1. Electrical Language
2. New Precision
3. New Mysteries
4. Surreal Estate
5. Love in Flames
Side Two:
1. Panic in the World
2. Dangerous Stranger
3. Superenigmatix (Lethal Appliances for the Home With Everything)
4. Visions of Endless Hopes - Be Bop Deluxe
5. Possession
6. Islands of the Dead