Customer Reviews

Hindu Love Gods

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This was recorded during the sessions for Warren Zevon's Sentimental Hygiene album, on which Messrs. Buck, Berry, and Mills guested for eight tracks. This wasn't meant for release, though Zevon's label at the time put it out anyway. For such off the cuff material, it sure sounds like the four Love Gods were having a ball. "Walkin' Blues" and "Raspberry Beret" are the high points.

A terrific album out of print for far too long (and in print again for a limited time). the one-off Hindu Love Gods "supergroup" featured Warren Zevon fronted the band REM for a recording made during the time the trio of Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry played on Zevon's album "Sentimental Hygiene" (also available again as a limited edition CD from Rhino).

This appears to be the same mastering as the previous version available in the late 80's, early 90's. That's a good thing because usually when these things are reissued they are remastered as a compressed, loud mess that sounds little like the original issue of the album. The band and Zevon cover a variety of blues tunes but the outstanding track here is the cover of Prince's "Rasberry Beret" given a straight forward bluesy reading in complete contrast to Prince's original version from "Around the World in A Day".

The booklet is the full booklet and everything here looks like the original issue except for the Rhino logo on the back of the booklet and the CD case. It's definitely worthwhile for fans of Zevon and even fans of REM will probably enjoy these blues unadorned versions of the songs.

I would have loved to hear any outtakes that weren't included on the album. It's a pity that the quartet didn't try some original material as part of this but what we do have is extremely good to excellent.

Highly recommended but probably an acquired taste for most fans.

I first bought this at the height of my initial Zevon fandom--1990. At the time, I didn't like it much at all. I thought it was rushed, sloppy, and ultimately forgettable, with the exception of their fun cover of 'Raspberry Beret.' What a difference a couple of decades makes!

When asked the question, "What do you get when you combine 3/4 of REM with Warren Zevon?" The answer is, rightly, Warren's great 1987 album 'Sentimental Hygeine.' When asked the question "What do you get when you combine 3/4 of REM with Warren Zevon, unused studio time, no specific songs to work on, and some booze for those still drinking?" The answer is 'Hindu Love Gods,' a damn fine example of a bar band-esque jam.

Yes it's disposable, but the sheer joy and energy of these takes makes it more than worth your time. At some points I was reminded of Alex Chilton's EPs...done quickly, but with so much native talent that the result rises above the mediocre mess it could have been.

Peter Buck and Zevon trade licks back and forth, Mike Mills provides rock solid bass work, and Bill Berry's drumming is perfect...never too busy, and keeping these tracks firmly rooted in the songs at hand. Highlights include the aforementioned 'Raspberry Beret', 'Crosscut Saw', and 'Vigilante Man.' Oh, and Zevon sounds like he's having more fun than he's had since the 70s. (RIP, Warren!)

This isn't essential for any Zevon fan, or REM fan, but it is too damn much fun to ignore. Grab a beer or other favorite adult beverage and turn it up at your next party!

This is one of my favorite blues records. At the first listen, it seems a bit rough I guess. But, boy, did it grow on me. Every one of these songs is great. I play this all the time now, and really, it's one my favorite records with Warren Zevon (I'm a huge fan.) Good, hard-driving, straight ahead blues; nothin' cool, nothin' fancy. WZ is a SUPERB blues front man. A friend recently sent me MP3s of the other HLG recordings. They are fun; but WZ shines as front man.

If you like rock, blues, or WZ (specifically), you won't be disappointed.

If you were to look up the term Lightning in a Bottle in the revised Book of Cliches, Hindu Love Gods would be cited first. A truly amazing collection of power three cord riffs and booming percussion provided by R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry back up the loud raunchy blues being belted by Warren Zevon. But being a fan of both REM and Zevon has little to do with the enjoyment this effort. If you like your rock raw, bluesy, thigh slapping, head bobbing and driving, get this now!

I was so excited to find this - my brother had heard it and told me about it so I searched and found it at Amazon. Thanks for making my day and his. Excellent experience!

Great combination of talented musicians. Sound and tracks are fantastic. Very glad to finally own the CD, for years I survived on a cassette recording. Warning: you might find yourself uncontrolably dancing with inanimate objects. It is that good!

Warren Zevon and REM boys have some fun on this one and the joy is evident. Zevon's in excellent voice here and he rips through a number of the songs with as much power and passion as he brought to his solo work. Buck, Mills, and Berry supply a solid rhythm section and an occasional burst of creativity. This thrown together recording has an immediacy rarely found on live albums much less a studio work. There are a few standouts here, like the forceful cover of Johnson's "Walkin' Blues" and a wicked "Crosscut Saw" but the overall feeling is exactly what it should be, a group of talented musicians having some fun in the studio with some classic tunes. It is a good time.

I like this CD especially Prince's cover of "Raspberry Beret". The other songs are okay, but the Blues tune is way too long. However, I'm glad I bought this CD, just for the Prince cover is worth it.

This incarnation of the cult band Hindu Love Gods saw three-fourths of REM--- guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and then-drummer Bill Berry---team up with late vocalist-pianist Warren Zevon for a wild studio romp consisting of various blue covers and their takes on some pop tunes.

Apparently, this set was recorded in a slap-dash, one take session, and the songs crackle with vigor as the band struts through one after the other track. The older blues numbers such as Robert Johnson's Walking Blues and Traveling Riverside Blues benefit from this treatment, and they take ownership of Junko Partner with this reading. But the covers of the newer material, including Raspberry Beret and Battleship Chains, are not that engaging (that said, I didn't like the originals as rendered by Prince and Georgia Satellites either). Mannish Boy and Wang Dang Doodle also sound almost perfunctory.

In short, this mixed bag may sound a bit raw and hurried, but that's the whole idea! It's actually refreshing to hear musicians who don't take themselves so seriously and who are clearly having fun. If you like this sort of energy and approach, you might also want to check out the Roger Chapman-fronted Riff Burglars.