Customer Reviews

Hits

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Hits is a fine compilation, but one listen to Pylon's second album, "Chomp", in its entirety and you'll discover why REM's Peter Buck was depressed when his band's EP "Chronic Town" came out within weeks of Chomp's original release. Hits (which includes several of Chomp's songs) allows Pylon to showcase its catchy dancibility, but dancability didn't meet depth until Chomp hit the streets. That Pylon never attracted a mass audience is proof-positive that life ain't fair.

Pylon isn't available anywhere, so get this CD while it's available on Amazon. Believe me, it won't be available for much longer.

"Hits" gives us a collection of various songs from their small amount of wonderful published work before "Chain." Every track but one (the amazing "Precaution" -- why'd they leave that one off?!) is on here from their first LP, "Gyrate." There's only seven tracks from "Chomp," which kind of stinks, but I think we can live with it. :)

There are also songs from the few singles and the "Pylon!!" EP. Overall, a perfect purchase.

What is also nice is that the lyrics to nineteen songs ("Weather Radio" is an instrumental) are included! It's great to finally know what those words you've been singing for years actually are.

A must have for fans of Pylon, old R.E.M. and any other classic Athens band. Heck, it's a must have for fans of good music.

Wow, is this CD really back in print again? If that's the case, and you like R.E.M. or just good 80's goofy but smart jangly guitar alter-pop music then by all means pick this one up. I've had a copy since I stumbled on Pylon back in '90; I remember reading some R.E.M. liner notes where they mention Pylon and how much better a single of theirs sounded and that led me to this compilation. I think it has aged very well, unlike quite a bit of the music from that era. I especially love the instrumental "Weather Radio" - so cool! But really, all of the tracks a great, you can't go wrong.

Pylon's "Hits" is an excellent example of the originality and energy that flowed out of Athens, Georgia during the height of the "New Wave" era. In an early concert tours I remember REM covering Pylon and lamenting that they had not reached as wide an audience as REM. It's hard to find these titles, but no "New Wave" collection is complete without the Athens, Georgia sounds of Pylon, The Method Actors, The Producers, B-52s, early REM, Love Tractor, etc. Many of the classics were released on vinyl before the CD era. Those without turntables will appreciate that Pylon's "Hits" and "Chain" are on CD, albeit hard to find. They are worth the search.

Pylon is definitely one of the greatest bands of the new wave genre. Sadly, they are overlooked by many listeners. If you're looking for really good, straight-ahead new wave, Pylon is made for you. The sound is rythym section heavy, with the bass mixed high, almost like a more melodic Gang of Four. The riffs are repetitive and always dance-able. Overall, a great band, and a great record.

for years and years, i had wanted to get my mitts on a pylon record, and it was pretty much impossible, which is not just a shame, but very nearly a crime...all because i had read about 'em long ago, and also because lots of folks were covering 'em, giving me at least a glimpse of how extremely good they were...well, so i finally found a copy of their album "chain" in a cut-out bin, and boy was i happy, because it was like a second wind of that fuzzy-humming stuff i used to like so much back in my lost youth...so imagine my disappointment when i found out this "hits" thing was out-of-print...are you listening out there, record-company person?...please, please reissue at least a few copies of this disc, 'cause there are some of us out here who want it bad...i mean, the samples are like an unscratchable itch the way things are now...

Pylon is a very difficult band to categorize. Are they new wave? Dance music? Punk? Indie rock? They are all and none of these descriptions, and that's what makes them so intriguing. They were contemporaries of R.E.M., that other band from Athens, GA, and R.E.M. were huge fans of this group. Ironically, R.E.M. and their contemporaries thought that Pylon would be the band that was poised to follow the B-52's on a path to stardom.
Their furious live shows (I caught them on a reuinion tour around 1990 or so), treble-edged guitars, monotonous drum beats and harsh, sometimes screeching vocals can be irritating and yet incredibly infectious at the same time. This is a compliation of some of their earlier LPs and singles and is the only thing I know by them that is available on CD (if you can find it). Pylon certainly is one music's most unique and avant-garde bands of any genre.

There was X, there was REM. During this period an unassuming band from Athens, GA provided listerners with a nuance of sound that represented the raw, yet sophisticated emotions of the "new wave" and "punk" with an almost primalistic representation of newness and childlike joy. This was, Pylon. What happened to them? I can't explain, I can't even get this record, but it is indeed a shame. If you can get it listen to it and enjoy the history of energy and movement.

Chomp (1980?) , Gyrate (1982), were released on Vinyl and cassette on DB Records. "Hits" was the first CD Pylon release and then DB records went under a few years later.
The two full length vinyl albums are still easy to find on Ebay too or at record stores. They also have two singles. "Hits" came out when they were about to reform for a tour in 1990. It is a comp from all their releases, including a 1979 EP called "Pylon!!" I saw them play in Houston in 1990 and they were absolutely fantastic. I spoke with Vanessa Ellison and she drew me a fish on a page of a memo pad I had in my back pocket. They released an album of new material called "Chain" in 1990 or 91 and with the exception of a few songs, I dont think it is all that good.
the now defunct DB records used to sell a Pylon T shirt and I got one and wished I still had it.

Anyway all you people waiting to get ahold of Hits should also invest in a turntable and get the Lp's.
I am sure some smart label with re-release the Pylon albums some day.

So I find my old CDs, open the Pylon Hits case and what do I find? Nothing! ManOManOMan this stinks because too many other people are wise to the fact that Pylon is good. Look at the price for a used CD here on Amazon. Sacra vaca (that means "holy cow" in Latin)! So now I'll do a review based on memory. "Crazy" is good. There were, like, 2 other good songs (that's why 3 stars -- I rate based on songs I liked) but I'm glad I can't remember the titles because I don't want YOU to buy this CD anyway. Don't buy it, let the price go down so I can get a copy. If you have this CD already, don't listen to it, just put it up for sale on Amazon like NOW, dude!