Customer Reviews

Heads Are Gonna Roll

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The Hippos have proven themselves to be, well, to simply put it, the greatest band you've probably never heard of. The addition of the moogs gives it original qualities. The harmonies, horns, analog keyboards (i.e. - farfisa, moog), tubas and the amazing songwriting make this album a must for every cd collection. If you like pop music, ska music, punk music, or rock, you'll love this album... I promise.

It's such a great thing to watch a band progress as the years pass by, this is the band to watch.

Heads are Gonna roll is the best from The Hippos to date. I have been listening to The Hippos for 5 years(ever since they started) and I have been seeing their progress. This CD is definately the best work from one of the dopest bands around.

I can't say much about how this cd relates to other ska groups because I don't listen to very much ska. But I love this album. (Perhaps those two facts combined say something, I don't know.)

Yes, some of the lines are a little cliche and it is all a tad poppish. And maybe if you're a music snob this will upset you. But, if you're a normal person looking for something fun to sing along with and bounce about to, this is a good choice.

The Moogs! The Horns! The Chords! This is a solid CD from start to finish. Songs like "Lost It" and the single "Wasting My Life" prove that The Hippos have improved a lot from "Forget The World" (which, by the way, is one of the better CD purchases I ever made).
Fans of "Forget The World" and who haven't seen them live recently may be mildly shocked at the addition of Moog synths. But ye have faith, it adds a lot.
Besides the fact that this CD is great, The Hippos themselves are a incredibly tight act. I saw them this summer in Seattle, and after talking to some of them, I came to the shocking conclusion that these are the nicest group of guys I've ever seen in a band. If you ever get the chance to see them live, take it.
Buy. Now.

If you like third wave ska, you'll like this album. Just a really really really really fun cd. The Hippos really know how make ska music to skank to.

I got this CD way after it came out (Sept. 2002) because one of my friends said I would love this if I was into RBF, Mustard Plug, LTJ, etc. He was right, this CD is really amazing. I like the way they sorta stray from the typical ska-punk sound by adding synthesizers. I guess some will say it sucks to throw that in with ska, but the Hippo's do it with skill. I have to say most of the tracks on here are exceptional, catchy, fast paced, fun ska. Lost It is quick and excellent with great opening horns, and a great choice for a beginning song. Something sounds a lot like Lost It, again with standout horns. Their cover of Always Something There to Remind Me is another standout, with hard guitars and vocals, and it's almost as good as Naked Eyes' version. Pollution and Wasting My Life use the synthesizer effect more than some of the other songs, but it fits right in, especially with Wasting My Life which starts out mellow (and electronic) and moves into a ska-punk song. Take a look at Sand, also, and Far Behind. Great CD and great ska here, very solid vocals and horns. Sometime I'll have to actually get the Hippo's first album. It's a bummer that they broke up, but I guess there's supposed to be a new CD sometime...but when?

Don't listen to anyone who tells you the synths ruin the album: This is a must have cd. It's great ska, and more relaxed than most bands in the genre. A super-catchy cd; if you can listen to 'Pollution' and 'Something' without tapping your feet, check your pulse and consult a mortician.

Simply put The Hippos are one of the best unheard bands around. Heads Are Gonna Roll is an amazing blend of vocals, horns, guitar, moog, and percussion. From their opening Moog sequence on Wasting My Life to their driving guitar chords on Something, to their almost polka sounding rhythms on Paulina, all backed up by an awesome sounding horn section The Hippos are nothing but absolute fun. Kick back relax and listen to them rock.

To be honest, when my friend first played this CD for me I thought it was of semi-decent quality. However, after subsequent listenings, I was suddenly amazed with the quality of THE HIPPOS second recording. This CD lacks the extra percussion found in their first CD "Forget the World" and the sytehesizer is relied on just a little bit too much. Despite the fact that CD has a slightly more pop sound to it than their other CD, I recomment it to anyone and everyone!

Not quite as good as the freshman release, but still a keeper. Hit after hit, the only thing I missed was the booty shakin' percussion (from the first album). Think "The Police" (one of their big inspirations) only SKA.