Customer Reviews

Hundreds & Thousands

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

 

 

I couldn't disagree with the previous reviewer more. I find the versions on this collection to be more interesting, more cohesive, and generally pleasing to listen to than the original AoC album. The "bizarre dialog" featured in Junk is hilarious in my opinion, and I think Why works a lot better on this one than the original. I can put this cd in and just let it go - the flow is terrific - and I can't stress enough how skillfully done the remixing is - a lot of tracks on this collection show just how this should be done. A couple tracks (Cadillac Car esp) could be omitted, but I think it's just as likely that someone else might pick a different two to drop - matter of preference vs. actually bad tracks. Bottom line, if you like these guys, I'd try to at least get a listen in rather than just taking any reviewer's word for it (including this one's).

Edit: Recently came across this explanation (from the producer) regarding the making of the album: [...]

I was expecting this CD to have the same content as the vinyl album of the same title. That's not unreasonable, is it? But NO, this is not the same album! If you have Hundreds & Thousands on vinyl and you want the same music on CD then DON'T buy this! You should buy the Age of Consent CD instead because it contains the full contents of the vinyl Hundreds & Thousands plus extra stuff - and most of the extra songs are just as good.

I just thought someone should say something about the tracks often cited as below par in other reviews. Cadillac Car, Infatuation / Memories and Close To The Edge were all B-sides to the original Age Of Consent singles. They aren't on the vinyl edition of Hundreds & Thousands and are included on the CD edition as bonus tracks. No, they're not up to the standard of other tracks - there's a reason they were used as b-sides - but it's nice to have them on CD.

The main problem here is that this album attempts to plug the gap between Bronski Beat's brilliant 1984 debut, "The Age of Consent," and the coming of their new vocalist, John Jon, for 1986s "Truthdare Doubledare." It consists mostly of ill-advised re-mixes of superb "Age of Consent" songs, and adds a few new tracks, all with Jimmy Somerville on lead vocals, which don't work nearly as well as previous efforts.

Of the new songs, only "Hard Rain" and, especially, "Run from Love," approach the level of Bronski songs from the debut. "Cadillac Car" is an interesting novelty-type song, sampling the riff from the Surfari's 1960s hit "Wipeout," but does not hold up to repeated listening. Neither does the medley "Infatuation/Memories" or the slight "Close to the Edge."

One track, previously released on single, but not on the original album, is a medley of "Love to Love You Baby/I Feel Love/Johnny Remember Me." The latter two tracks appeared on "Age of Consent," but the remixing done to them here does not work very well. The "Love to Love You Baby" section is a fine cover, but the remixing strips "Johnny Remember Me" of its emotional force and "I Feel Love" of its propulsive dance beat.

Of the re-mixes of old songs, "Smalltown Boy"'s is probably the most minimal, and therefore works the best. "Heatwave"'s remix pulls forward the song's 1920s-style musicality, and so is also a good track. However, "Why" is slowed down to a crawl, compared to the original, and loses its power in the process. In addition, a bizarre dialogue by Miss Wendy Wild is tacked in the re-mix of "Junk," and it just interferes with the song.

Overall, the album is just not that good, especially when placed next to "The Age of Consent." It seems stagnant and dull in comparison to its somber, but superb cousin. Unless a fan is trying to collect a full complement of Bronski recordings, it is better to simply stick with the tried, true, and much better debut album.

A WONDERFUL CD