Customer Reviews

Fiends of Dope Island

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have seen a couple of reviews that say "I expected something different" or "this is redundant". If you ever expect anything other than what this disc is, than don't ever buy another cramps cd. After more than 25 years under their belt of the same psychotic rock and roll, something else would be disappointing! They are not Metallica, where they need a fresh new image every 5 years. the crazed sound is here to stay and that thrills me. This is a great album

I have read quite a few reviews regarding this album and a majority of them have complained that "Fiends of Dope Island" has no indication of the band's instrumental growth. Most devoted Cramps fans claim that after a 6-year gap, this CD (the first ever to be released since 1997's "Big Beat from Badsville") doesn't show any evidence of the band taking a fresh musical direction: instead the Cramps' outrageous psychobilly melodies are rehashed and recycled from the past, thereby becoming out-of-touch with today's pop audience. Well, I bought "Fiends of Dope Island" and I personally feel that despite the band's age, it would be a shame for the Cramps to alter their signature sound or image just to sell more records; in fact, doing otherwise would mean having to sell out! To me the rock elements on "Fiends" are just as enjoyable and catchy as before; this CD proves that after the birth of the 21st century, the Cramps are finally back in business! A potential classic on its own, "Fiends of Dope Island" contains funny, danceable songs amalgamating references to black masses, psychotic drug abuse, grisly murder, and of course the late Elvis Presley. My most favorite tracks are "Fissure of Rolando," "Dopefiend Boogie" and "Mojo Man from Mars." Primal drums and Lux's sarcastic punk howling fold nicely upon Poison Ivy's guitar (which can erect, sway and slither like a Cobra seduced by its charmer) Of course "Fiends" DOES have a few flaws; some of the choruses are mindnumbingly repetitive, Lux's lyrics are nothing more than random nonsense phrases shouted in a microphone, and also the CD exudes the BIGGEST exploitation a certain 4-letter F-word! The general content here is undoubtedly the most EXPLICIT Lux has ever performed in an audio recording.

I have been a cramps fan since college, over fifteen yrears. Although I thought some of the songs on Big Beat From Badsville were great, i.e. Like a Bad Girl Should, that album as a whole was just decent. After five years without an album I felt fairly certain that they had split. I actually expected this album not to be so good. I was wrong. As a whole album this is by far their best effort. I have all of their albums and this is one of the few that is excellent from start to finish. I was thrilled with it from the first listen and it only sounds better with time. If a had to pick only one Cramps album this would be the one. I saw them in Ashville, NC and I hope to see them again before they finish their tour. They are one of the few bands that are actually better live than on CD. If you want a truly entertaining show this is the band to see. Ashville is the third time I have seen them and everytime has been awesome. If you like any of their albums you should definitely enjoy this one.

This album has brought back the old school sound of the cramps. I have to say that this album is one of the better the Cramps have put out in years. Though some of songs are a bit borish and don't have that total Cramps style about them. After listening to the whole album a few times, those borish songs kind of start to grow on ya. Over all worth the money. If you haven't seem them live...PLease go if you ever have the chance. They are a little more toned down at shows now than back about 10-20 yrs ago. Defintely worth the time to check out.

I never thought the Cramps would come anywhere close to capturing the bare Elvis-on-Acid frenzy of PSYCHEDELIC JUNGLE but somehow they've overcome the mediocrity of their last few albums and gotten back to basics.

Dr. F**ker M.D. (Medical Deviant) and Elvis F**king Christ will probably become live standards, and Taboo recalls the cool simplicity of Primitive or even maybe Green Door.

While certainly not their best album, this is the best work they've done in years.

If you've never bought a Cramps album before you might be better off with Bad Music For Bad People or Psychedelic Jungle, but honestly Fiends of Dope Island isn't the worst place to start.

Was so glad to FINALLY get around to snatching up a copy of this superb 2003 CD release by the rockabilly stalwarts.This may very well be their best work since 1986's 'A Date With Elvis'(see my review).I mean,this disc has hardly been out of my player since I got it.Yes,it's THAT good!Tracks that most old school fans would rarely grow tired of are the ballsy opener "Big Black Witchcraft Book","Hang Up","Dopefiend Boogie","Elvis ******g Christ!"(perhaps the CD's best cut),"Oowee Baby" and "Wrong Way Ticket".Fact is that about every one of these thirteen tunes are totally slammin'!The Cramps are smart at NOT to give up or try and change/alter their 'set' formula of psychobilly that they've practically invented.With song lyrics dealing with subjects as old horror flicks,satanic worship,drug use,trashy living and B-grade monster movie humor,how can one go wrong?Line-up:Lux Interior-vocals,Poison Ivy Rorschach-guitar,Chopper Franklin-bass and Harry Drumdini-drums.I would personally recommend this CD so much it nearly hurts.An ABSOLUTE freakin' must-have.

I was really happy when the Cramps put out a new album after so long and I really think it's one of their best. With every album I think the recordings sound better, and Ivy's guitar playing is awesome. Their new line up is one of the best and this album is probably the closest to what it's like seeing them live. I'm really glad that their still kicking and doing what they love best. I love their classic albums, "Psychedilic Jungle" and "Gravest Hit's" but I really think this album is great too and the recordings are so much more clear and the music a lot harder. One of my favorite albums of the year. Lux and Ivy, Keep Rockin!!!

My ears are still ringing from the Cramps show last night at my local club. Great concert--Lux was a maniac with his madman humor and Poison Ivy was at her pouty sultry best. I think the new album is excellent. Date with Elvis is probably my favorite Cramps, but this one is the best since then. The Cramps are the real deal, true American rock originals who are a world unto themselves.

To be fair, I'm still getting used to the cd, but many of the songs seem to be retreads of things we've heard from them before. I'll buy anything they release because I feel they are torch bearers for a certain kind of rock and roll sickness, but I'm a little disappointed that the average Cramps cd seems to have a couple kickass songs and a lot of filler. I don't know why they're not more experimental-- Is it just them being true to a philosophy of early rock that they shy away from overdubs and additional instruments? It would be nice to pick up a Cramps cd and hear them expanding their sound for once.

--Something positive-- The songs on this cd are more consistently good than on most of their cds. You can enjoy this one end to end pretty much.

I first saw the Cramps in 1978 at a club in Manchester in the UK. Brian Gregory was in the band at this time. I can still remember not quite being able to work out how Lux Interior avoided exposing himself as his pants seemed to be on the verge of sliding over and past his nether regions throughout the gig. Now, after 25 years, as I listen to 'Fiends' I find myself reliving the thrill and intensity of that evening. I also feel reassured (as I enter middle age) that a man in his fifties can still sound as subversively shamanic and abandoned as Lux does here. But above all this album serves to remind us of just how great American music can be at a time when, thanks to the unelected Bush administration, America-bashing has become almost a reflex over here. The Cramps should surely now be recognised as a living 'Cultural Treasure' and despatched to play a crisis-defusing gig in Pyongyang forthwith.