Customer Reviews

Need Is Dead

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

 

 

Rachel is a genius. She makes extremely difficult and complex drum combonations sound easy and flawless. I first saw The Need at Ladyfest in August 2000, and I was so blown away by the caliber of their performance that I was convinced none of their recorded material could sound as good as their live stuff. I was wrong. The Need is Dead is perhaps one of the most complexly genius (and disturbingly weird) albums I have ever heard. It has a beauty and originality that I have never heard from any other recording artists. My particular favorites are "Vaselina," "Dear Diary," and "Eva Carriere." I cannot recommend this album enough--but only to those who are open-minded enough to be into an album EXPERIENCE.

This is to second the opinion that the guy who called this record "annoying lesbo rock" is wayyyyyyyyy off base. Given that he compares it to Bratmobile and Huggy Bear, I kind of doubt he's ever even bothered to listen to it. Come on, I mean, "I picture fat raver girls and skinny pants-wearing boys dancing to this at Sarah Lawrence?" Yeah, way to stick it to 1991, dude.
No, this record has nothing to do with the bland, bouncy shreik-rock of early-90s riot grrrl. It's instead a sci-fi opera, performed by Joan Jett and Suzi Quatro, with Black Sabbath and a chorus of martians in the orchestra pit. Churning metal riffs, 1950s horror movie soundtracks, and bad-girl rock posturing are replete, somehow blended into a cohesive, jaw-dropping masterpiece. Uncategorizably weird, yes, but undoubtedly brilliant.
Sadly, though, The Need is Dead has been, for all practical purposes, completely overlooked by just about everyone. And meanwhile, stuff that cops the same (wo)man-machine, dark-future vibe, but has none of the Need's extraordinary creativity - Tracy and the Plastics and Crack:WAR come to mind here - gets hailed as genius.
So, if you've somehow come across this page, seriously, ignore the dude below, and buy the record. Play it for your friends and see them instantly toss their CDs by Chicks on Speed, or whatever unimaginative dreck has the title of "Queens of Art-school-girl-rock" at the moment. The Need really are dead now, unfortunately (as a band, not as people - don't get freaked out), but, hopefully, somewhere out there, their legacy of inspired strangeness lives on.

Geez, here I am ready to shake my booty into oblivion like I did when I listened to their first cd and they make me sit down and listen. This isn't your next dance record. Workers toiling in hell is what comes to mind, with radio's guitar doing the leading. Beautiful.

This album goes in a different direction that the first Need album. Instead of the new wave overtones, this album has a more heavy metal feel. But it works!

The shift changes in Vaselina are beautiful and exhilirating while the full-on speed metal dirge of Hellfire is shocking yet still fresh. No note or sound is every out of place.

For a duo, the Need have a very full and complicated sound. See them live if you can as they are very impressive, tight and perfect.

Need are a great band and this album proves they have more than one trick up their sleeves!

_The Need is Dead_ is a ghost train whistling at night or a possessed carousel. It's magical and complex and not for your typical listener.

How in any way does this band sound like Bratmobile or any other really horrible "grrl Punk" band? I think the Need has a very unique mix of influences, just punk was left out. I hear more influence from old metal bands than I would ever from any punk bands. Especially more influence from the B-52's. Either of The Need's albums is quite delightful and I suggest you check them out.

excellent 2nd album from the need. while i prefer their debut, this cd just shows the musicianship of these ladies. sadly, i think this is the final cd from them. BUT if you're looking for extensions of these sounds pick up The Transfused and Mocket Pro Forma.

To the gentleman below, if youre going to use big kid words like aforementioned, you should probably also use grammar check because you look like a douchebag. its also clear you have been burned by either a "grrrl" or "rocker looking guy", or both perhaps. Take your anger elsewhere, it has no place in a cd review.
This album is incredible. Rachael and Radio stay true to oly. I heard this when it came out(i think)in 2000 on a road trip and never looked back. i remember being like 22 and blown away. 'oh sally hows it feel with a fake hand?' *metal hand.
do yourself a favor and spend the 50 cents for a used copy. also, ppl from the need went on to work with peaches and a bad ass band called circuit side(track one), among many others. do it, you wont be disappointed.

the first track, "circuit side", explodes! thats the only way i can describe it. the entire cd is exceptional but some of the best tracks are "dear diary", followed by a great transition to "eva carriere", where the singer's voice is just breathtaking. probably my favorite song right now, however, is "o sally how's it feel with a fake hand?", which is just a great song to rock out to!!!! the last song "mona tinsley" is a slow song, different from the other tracks, with just a piano to back the singing, which again, is awesome.

This album is incredibly annoying. I imagine overweight short- haired "raver" looking "grrrls" dancing around dormrooms at Evergreen/Sarah Lawrence/Antioch etc. At this party are always several emasculated thick black glasses skinny pants "rocker" boys. If the aformentioned party sounds enticing, then look no further--this is the album for you. Fans of Huggy Bear, Bratmobile, Heavens to Betsy, the Butchies--you will enjoy this hackneyed nonsense.