Customer Reviews

Fever In Fever Out

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Well here's one of the most promising bands today, and they also have one of the most original sounds of any band. This ain't no Go-Gos kids, and Luscious Jackson makes The Bangles sound like bubble-gum pop, which, well, they are.

These girls have Rhythm, and bring something sorely lacking in the music scene today...a little funk. Well, actually, they're a little on the pop side, but a "pop"-ish funk band is a pretty good idea, and besides it works much better than a "pop"-ish ska band (No Doubt, I'm looking your way...)

If you haven't got hooked in by the catchy "Naked Eye" song, then check your pulse. Unless of course you're sick and tired of hearing it on almost EVERY single movie preview on television. The album is full of catchy little songs that are actually more funky than their hit. I think that "Under Your Skin" and "Why Do I Lie?" are actually the best songs on the album. "Take A Ride" was actually recorded via a time machine, which the band took back to the year 1968 to record that one song. That is, as far as I can tell, a true story!

I really enjoyed this album, but I can sense a bit of a change in the band when they alternate their lead singers. I think the Jill Cunniff songs work really well, while the Gabrielle Glaser songs plod along a little slower. That's a little discouraging for a band when there is such a dramatic difference in tempo when the two bandmates switch roles. Possibly this band is being led by two very talented women who may want the band to go in slightly different directions. This may actually hurt the band as they gain in popularity...its not a good sign for a talented young band to still be searching for the right "sound."

Overall this album is fun, and I would be proud to put it on at a party. Hey, its not George Clinton, and it certainly isn't Stevie Wonder circa 1972, but its as close to mainstream as funk is going to get. And this band has a lot of talent, but can't seem to live up to the potential that they show. This is a good album, but it could and should have been a great album. This band has either got a classic in it, or will eventually break up trying to record it, but for the time, they deserve to be listened to just because they're trying something different, and God knows that we NEED music that will break up the horrible stuff thats out there now.

I borrowed this CD from a friend, had no idea who LJ was, and immediately recognized their hit "Naked Eye." After listening to that song over and over, I listened to the rest of the CD, and it's all wonderful. They're creative and inventive, interesting, and the music is delicious. It's now my favorite CD to listen to on Saturday mornings. I have to buy it now because my friend wants his CD back! You can't go wrong with this purchase!

For me, this album was an impulse buy.

I am SO GLAD I bought it! Rarely do I buy an album for a single song (Naked Eye) and then end up liking every song on the CD. That's what happened to this one ... and it was because I had no idea what to expect.

These ladies have pure musical genius and it's a terrible shame they broke up the band. They mixed honey-sweet vocals, hot funky rhythm, spacey Pink Floyd-esq sequences, and added in a healthy dose of attitude. The music, blended, became more than the sum of it's parts. It's different! Alive! Erotic! It's one of those albums I can listen to over and over. And it's hard to classify, because it's not really rock, or punk, or hip-hop, or jazz. It's unique, and for that reason alone, it should be coveted, enjoyed and celebrated.

Luscious Jackson, get back together PLEEEEEASE!

In Ireland we have a late night radio DJ called Dave Fanning who will play stuff that won't ordinarily get airplay during the day. He was supposed to be playing a Portishead gig at 9 one night. Being a BIG Portishead fan I set the cassette player to record it and went off for the night. By chance that night he was late starting the gig so when I played back the tape next morning I caught the last minute of a song called "Naked Eye". Fortunately Dave mentioned the bands name as well, Luscious Jackson. I spent ages listening and relistening to that tailend of the song thinking "this band sound like somebody I've heard before" but could never figure who. With time I played the Portishead gig to death and moved on.

Weeks later in a record shop I went looking for Luscious Jackson and found "Fever in, Fever Out". Looking at the cover I though oh crap its a girlband, but if they can make Naked Eye then they're worth the risk. For the next 2 months it lived in my CD player and nearly drove my girlfriend at the time mad, she liked it too, but not as much as me.

Since then Amazon.com has become my prefared record store so I've slowly built up my LJ collection as well as picking up the Dusty Trails & Kostars albums.

Fever In, Fever Out still remains my favourite and is simply one of those albums that grabs and carries you along at it's own pace. You can let it wash over you or you can listen deeply to the lyrics and feel what they're at. Either way it's a very enjoyable way to pass 40 minutes. Such a talented group of women, what a pity they don't all work together anymore.

Okay. So I had this friend who for years had been telling me about Luscious Jackson. I couldn't decide if it was a band or the name of a heavyweight boxer. Soon after I knew I was totally in love with their sound.

This isn't punk rock, it's not rap, but I wouldn't really call it "rock" or "alternative". It defies all those stereotypes and is truly in a class of its own. Just listening to this CD puts you on a rollercoaster of emotion -- when I hear "Naked Eye" I want to be cruising downtown in a convertible. When I hear "Water Your Garden", I want to sit down in a coffeehouse and contemplate. This album is full of wonderful surprises -- and it doesn't help that these girls can actually sing. Beautifully.

If I had one word to describe this album, it would be "rich" -- in sounds, in feelings, in artistic expression. By the way, they've broken up now. It's too bad, because creativity like this is difficult to find.

I cannot imagine a sexier album in the entire universe. Everytime I put this CD on I feel like taking off my clothes. It's smart and sexy, passionate and emotional. Gabby's growl on "Electric" makes Barry White sound like an amateur.

4.5 Stars

Luscious Jackson's debut album "Natural Ingredients" (1994) more or less took up where the classic EP "In Search of Manny" (1992) left off. Protégés of the Beastie Boys, Luscious Jackson's early work combined NYC hip-hop and riot grrrl, with a clear pop-sensibility.

The band's second full-length album "Fever In, Fever Out" was released in 1996 and certified Gold (500,000 albums sold). While the band didn't take a 180 degree turn for their sophomore release, "Fever In, Fever Out" sees the band branch out artistically and go for a smoother, slicker sound, but without loosing its edge.

While many albums are filled with a few really great songs, a few good ones, and some filler, "Fever In, Fever Out" doesn't work that way at all. The entire album, for the most part, is extremely laid back, with one song seamlessly flowing into the next, like a dream. In other words, "Fever In, Fever Out" is not a singles oriented album, with the exception of the lead-off first single "Naked Eye," which combines cool beats, stylish rapping and lush feminine vocals for an incredibly catchy winning formula.

In all honestly, while I felt that the album was somewhat monotonous at first, it has really grown on me with repeated listens. There's a lot going on with this album; subtle things that the listener might not get with just one listen, like touches of New-Wave Psychedelia on "Under Your Skin," and "Water Your Garden," or the mystical Eastern flair on "Take a Ride."

One thing that makes "Fever In, Fever Out" so cool is the album's off-beat, dark undertones and production, which are fully alluring, captivating the senses.

"Fever In, Fever Out" is a lot of things. It's a salad bowl of sounds and styles, including hip-hop, Psychedelia, world-beats, modern-day beatnik rhymes, and melodic, lush backgrounds--all co-existing, but never competing. While "Fever In, Fever Out" is overall slicker than its predecessors, it ultimately works to its advantage, as it's a mellower, more tranquilizing album. If you bought this album just for "Naked Eye," try giving the entire album a few spins, as there is a lot going on that's easy to miss the first time around.

If you own this album, you know. If you have heard the catchy "Naked Eye", you know. It's funny. Naked Eye hooked me to this album, but the rest of the songs meld together to create a unique and varied emotional atmosphere. What does that mean? It means you'll be grooving during "Naked Eye", amorous during "Electric", and mellow during "Take a Ride". I've had the cd for six years now and still find time to stick it into my rotation. For any athletic types, give it a spin during a workout (preferably on a walkman) and let it take your mind off the pain.
I have a pretty wide range of musical tastes (ending before the train wrecks of boy bands and pop-country) and I consider this to be my favorite album of all time. Means a lot from a guy that usually listens to the three M's (Metallica, Motorhead, and Ministry). Just buy the album and give it a spin.

I had it on cassette and played til it wouldn't play no more. The lyrics seem to fit me like I could have written it.

This CD is SO COOL, I wish I'd bought it years ago. Very, very groovy and eclectic, like the title suggests, almost feverish. I can picture these rockin' chickies swaying under a hypnotic, trance-like state and stream-of-consciousness-ing out this wonderful album. Jill Cunniff's voice just makes me melt; I can't help but visualize "the perfect woman" when I hear her combination of sweet, lilting melodies and soft-but-gritty semi-rap lyrics. I don't think I've ever heard a band that has a more eclectic sound, honestly.

Just buy it!