Customer Reviews

Minimum Wage Rock N'Roll

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Another reviewer wrote " From the first chord to the last, 'Minimum Wage...' rocks like few recordings have since it's release then OR now." I can't agree more. I was stuck driving on two modestly long road trips the past two weekends. The only tape I had was this album. Listened to it at least 10 times and marvelled every time... wondering how come these guys never made it to the top.

If you've wondered what music sounded like in the early 80's, this CD will pretty much tell you everything. These guys try their hand at a bunch of different styles, and succeed handily at most of them. "Minimum Wage" defines, if any song can, the Busboys "sound" - sort of a soulful rock with a new wave twist, if that makes any sense. "Did You See Me" could almost be the B-52's (I'd like to hear Fred Schneider take a stab at it), while other songs sound more poppy, rocky, soulful, or what have you. The lyrics are very well written and sung, with topics like nuclear war ("D-Day"), respect for the working guys ("Minimum Wage", "Respect") and a funny take at racism ("There Goes the Neighborhood"). The only criticism I can offer is the occasional song ("D-Day"), lyrics ("Tell the Coach") or bit of music (the opening riff of "Johnny Soul'd Out")that just doesn't work. But the good moments far outnumber the bad - pick it up and remember why you liked pop-rock in the first place.

Great rock from a band that unfortunately got pigeon-holed because a lot of the songs have 'gimmicky' lyrics. But since I listen to the music more than the lyrics, I am more impressed by their musicianship.

Bill Maher would love the non-PC humor that defined Minimum Wage Rock 'n Roll, the first Bus Boys release. Post-Chuck Berry, post-Jimi Hendrix, pre-Living Colour, Bus Boys arrived as the only black rock-n-roll band that you saw on TV in 1980.

On "Minimum Wage", the "Boys" had great fun exploiting their race. The Bus Boys sung and danced away, while mocking the lack of diversity in both "rock'n roll" and the "black music scene".

Lyrics out of the mouths of these men made their point in your favorite genre: There Goes the Neighboorhood. The Whites are moving in, they're going to bring their next of kin (soul)...I want to join the Klu Klux Klan and play in a rock and roll band (hard rock)... And you thought it was light in the shade, I bet you never heard music like this by spades (new wave).

I recall hearing of them for the first time, when they performed on a late-night network weekend music show. The live Bus Boys shows that I caught in Ames, IA and St. Paul, MN were also tremendously fun and energetic.

The later records kept the unique combination of "rock" and "soul", but dropped the race humor. These later records prove that the Bus Boys were/are excellent musicians, as you don't miss the humor.

In 1999, the HHH Dome sound system demonstrated unusual taste by playing Bus Boys at the beginning of each Minnesota Twins series, whenever "The Boys are Back in Town". I, of course, find myself searching for new Bus Boys releases, even today. Come back, O'Neal brothers!!

I had the pleasure of seeing this band in concert in Houston, twice at local clubs. I even met the band members. What a great band and great bunch of guys.This was by far their best album. There is hardly a bad song on this album. It was one of the few black rock/new wave bands at the time but by far the best. A must have for any true 80's music fan !

This brilliant album was one of my faves in high school and has not lost a bit of its magic in 20 years. If you like 50's/60's influenced rock with tongue implanted firmly in cheek lyrics, buy this CD now. If you've ever wondered what those guys who did "The Boys are Back in Town" from the Eddie Murphy movie "48 Hours" or "Cleaning Up The Town" from "Ghostbusters" sounded like on other songs buy this CD now. Now, if the would only release their (in my opinion ) superior second album "American Worker" you could hear what a real rock band could do with "Heart and Soul" popularized a few years later by Huey Lewis and the News.

Minimum Wage Rock-n-Roll, along with Pearl Harbor & The Explosions (Remember Them? ), London Calling by the Clash, and DEVO's First three records were my ONLY choices for the mythical "stranded on a deserted island, which albums would you take with you" discussions my dorm-mates and I would have back in the day. From the first chord to the last, "Minimum Wage..." rocks like few recordings have since it's release then OR now. It's about freakin' time. Now, if only someone would re-release the first and only release by Pearl Harbor and the Explosions...

Yes! I have been searching, praying and waiting for either of the BusBoys' first two albums to come out on cd. This is melodic fun that really rocks! You listen to this an feel like there is an inside joke running through it. At last! Hopefully the second album American Workers comes out soon!!!

This is an incredible CD, a must have for musicians looking to improve upon their playing skills as well as for casual listeners looking for some highly entertaining listening, dancing, singing, humorous yet serious thinking music. This concept CD touches upon racial issues in American in a very humorous and animated way. Every single track is a gem with killer bass and guitar and singing. Trust me on this.

This is one of the best 80's albums, period. It has very catchy melodies, delivered with affection, energy, a new wave sensibility and above all a sense of fun and experimentation. I first knew about this album when the song There Goes The Neighborhood was played on the radio. After buying the album, I was surprised to learn that every song was just as good, if not better. Every song rocks, and has a catchy melody combined with a welcome sense of humor and soulfulness. The second and third song, especially, burst out of the stereo speakers with their crunchy performance and production. The song D Day has a funny sci-fi vibe and is very original and fun, and Tell The Coach is sincere and soulful. We Stand United has a new-wavey keyboard sound and is both haunting and inspirational. One quality that stands out is a sweetness and sincerity that is missing in a lot of today's music. Besides the spirited performance and songwriting, the vocals are also very sensitive and expressive. I can't recommend this album highly enough.