Customer Reviews

Melville

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

 

 

This hasn't been reviewed in ages, so i might as well

Etobicoke is the tacky west part of the newly amalgamated City of Toronto, a hodge podge of new mini-malls and old decrepit warehouses and decaying donut shops. From this boil on Canada's butt (no offense but come on...) came the Rheostatics 15 years ago, proudly singing songs about Rush, the Albion Mall and wood-chopping grampas.

The most 'famous' track here is 'Horses', which has one of the most infectious choruses i've ever heard ("Holy Mackinaw Joe, Holy Mackinaw.."). Every Rheo's fan loves this song...

This record has the best parts of the Beach Boys' vocal harmonies, balanced by folky-rockish guitar tunes with brave solos a la Replacements or Crazy Horse, and a nice variety in lead vocals: Dave Bidini's nasal sneer, Martin Tielli's falsetto croon and Tim Vesely's depressed boyishness. I've heard all their albums except their two most recent, and i've been to see them live twice, and this is still their most fun record, although their 'Whale Music' album comes pretty close.

'When Winter Comes' and 'Record Body Count' are pure classic. And 'Christopher':"And I'm standing here/Where my grandfather stood/And he chopped wood." Although chances are if youre reading this review you already know all this junk.

Buy this album first if you've never heard the Rheostatics before. It's the best introduction to an incredible band.

The Rheostatics are quite simply the best rock band in Canada. They have more talent than most Top-40 musicians put together. "Melville" was their first "break-out" album, bringing them out into the mainstream from club-cult status which they achieved after their first album "Greatest Hits". Here we see the band blazing new trails with their soaring music that is both complicated yet delightfully simple. Be prepared for a musical experience that is at first strange and exotic, but will soon become one of your all time favorites.

Tracks from this CD have gone on to become staples of their live show. "Record Body Count", "Christopher", and the brilliant "Northern Wish" are all fan favorites.

This album points the way to their later works which build upon their style but continually branch out in new directions. After listening to Melville, you'll want to get a copy of "Whale Music" and "Introducing Happiness". For the ultimate Rheostatics experience, check out "Double Live", a collection of over 30 live tracks on 2 CDs.

Made back in '88, Melville is the Rheostatics' second almbum, And some of the greatest stuff they have done. I'ts earned a permament spot in my CD changer. And it really is evident how much the band has grown when you compare Melville to the newer releases (The Blue Hysteria, The Nightline Sessions) As one of the two of the Rheostatic fans in California, I am sure that if you know this band, you will enjoy this cd.

I have to kind of disagree with some of the other reviewers here. I really like this album, but I think its my least favorite of the Rheos albums, which means that this is a great album, but not jump-up-and-down awesome. Of course, my first experience with the Rheos was with Introducing Happiness so, to me, this album comes across rather primitive and a lot less experimental (something I love about the Rheos). The difference between Melville and even Whale Music is big. Melville isn't quite Rheostatics yet to me. It sounds restrained and folky. Still, it's a great album. Buy it!

If you're a fan of the Rheostatics, you already own this. If you're just getting into their stuff, do yourself a favour and get this disc. With this album, the bar has been set very high.