Customer Reviews

Happy Head

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

 

 

I bought a set of all three of the Mighty Lemon Drops vinyl on the pure basis that they were cheap (two bucks each, with the other being 'The World Without End') and I'd heard them mentioned in Rhino's 'Postpunk Chronicles' along with the Chameleons. Automatically the whole record store went into the fit with all four clerks saying nearly simultaneously 'Finally!' I automatically knew I had something good, albeit obscure.

Comparisons to Echo and the Bunnymen briefly ignored (Yes, I know they're a huge influence, yes I know they're a lot alike) the Mighty Lemon Drops are very catchy, jangly, talented, melodic while still rocking and not drifting into Gin Blossoms style sugar-coated puke-pop-rock. The lyrics and the music seem to work to create a dark, yet perky atmosphere, as if you suddenly toned down the Jesus and Mary Chain. Very nice obscure purchase I do not regret at all.

Smith, Cure, Midnight oil fans should give this album a try. The Lemons were part of this pre-Manchester scene called "C-86". Using punk ideals but making them more melodic but still powerful is the idea here... Simple, fun and emotional tunes. A great buy especially with the bonus tracks! get it.

I gave this 4 stars on the merit of tracks 13-18. I would agree with the reviewer that said that the album can sound repetitive - if you listen to the whole thing straight through. My recommendation is to skip to track 13 and go from there - originally these tracks were the Out of Hand album. You will notice that a couple of these last tracks are live versions of songs that I am advising listeners to skip - the live versions are much better.

Now about tracks 13-18 - these are the 4-star material. I used to own the Out of Hand cassette and could listen to it over and over again (I would give that album by itself 5 stars). Certainly the Lemon Drops albums World Without End and Laughter were a bit better, but these tracks do show some variation and they all sound great.

I know I am in a minority, but I have always liked the the Mighty Lemon Drops more than Echo. They have to me the sound of British melancholy. Not depressing, not really dark, but rather doleful and sonorous. Good stuff.

Their best work. Buy this CD, it is well worth it. It is actually an LP and an EP combined. A ton of songs, and all are great! One of the greatest, but most overlooked Brit-rock bands of the 80's.