Customer Reviews

Good Deeds & Dirty Rags

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

 

 

This album is pretty good considering its 10 years old. Shirly is doing extensive back up vocal work and keyboards.The band sound solid and sound like early U2 meets Echo and the Bunnymen with. The Cd has very strong lyrical content and good melodies. It's a good piece of memorabilia for Shirly fans. Apparently this record was top 30 in the UK in 1989.

I knew well ahead of time that Shirley Manson of the band Garbage only sang backup for this talented and highly underrated Scottish band. Being a massive Garbage fan, I had to buy this cd because I loved what I heard on the band's Behind the Music special. After having listened to "Good Deeds and Dirty Rags", there isn't any doubt to why I adore Shirley Manson as a vocalist. Martin Metcalfe, the lead singer of the group is better than I expected. The band as a whole reminded me some of the best moments of early '80s synth-pop from Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Dead or Alive and Book of Love fused with traditional Scottish music. I absolutely loved the combination. I particularly enjoyed "Goodbye Mr. MacKenzie", "Open Your Arms" and "Calton Hill". It took me a couple of listens to let the album grow on me and while I think the album is albeit too long, I nonetheless thoroughly enjoyed this album as a whole. Now while Shirley only sings back up vocals on the album, it is a perfect introduction to what this talented singer.

As most of you know, Shirley didn't sing lead vocals in GMM. Don't worry, she sings a lot more than I had expected. If you like Angelfish, you'll like this.

I saw GMM play in 1991 when they supported Debbie Harry on a UK tour. They were great then - Shirley Manson was cool even before she got famous. I've got this and another album, Fish Heads and Tails, which is just as good. Good strong tunes. Still looking for a copy of the Live album they apparently released.......

I'm a Garbage collector (pun intended), so I made sure I sought out Angelfish as well as Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie. There's some really good music here (late 80s with a bit of dramatic flair), and although Shirley is relegated to the background here, her vocals (along with bandmate Rona Scobie) are nonetheless present and blend well with Martin Metcalfe's leads. This band is something entirely different from Garbage, but taken with an open mind it's a most enjoyable listen. One word of caution... I have the original 1989 CD release on Echo Chamber/Capitol, and there are notable differences from the Razor and Tie reissue. First, the track sequencing is slightly different on both releases and the tracks "Face To Face" and "Here Comes Deacon Brodie" are on the reissue but not on the original (they turn up on the mega-rare FISH HEADS AND TAILS b-side ep collection, well worth seeking out!). Finally the original (but NOT the reissue!!!) includes the superb track "His Master's Voice", featuring a fantastic dual lead vocal with Metcalfe and Shirley Manson... if you happen to come across a copy of this original issue by all means snap it up!

Met the band , loved all there stuff and saw them loads of times even making the guest list , thanks to Big John.
This album was class....mostly written by Machine Gun Kelly and Martin.
This is one of the best scottish bands and it was so sad to see them split.
Garbage are okay but the MacKenzies were well...you had to have seen them !
This album is a MUST.
R.frae Edinburgh,Scotland

Be Warned --- Shirley Manson of Garbage fame only appears on this cd as a background vocalist. Listening to the cd I kept waiting to hear Shirley sing lead but it never happened. The music and songs are mediocre at best. Check out Shirley's other pre-Garbage band "Angelfish." Features Shirl on lead vocals. Recommended for any Garbage fan.

I knew when they billed this cd as "featuring Shirley Mansion", many people would purchase it expecting lead vocals by her. Since I had this album on record back in the 80's, I knew better. And guess what? I still bought the cd. Why? Because Martin Metcalf is a much better singer than Shirley Mansion will ever be. This is not the greatest album I've ever heard, but it's very enjoyable. One of the best tracks is a bonus track, Calton Hill.