Customer Reviews

Nice

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is what I've been waiting for from the Rollins band. Something seemed to be missing from "Come in and Burn" when the band was falling apart; and from "Get Some, Go Again", when the new band was coming together. I realize after listening to "Nice" what that element was.

Anyone who has read Henry's books knows one undeniable fact. Hank loves music. He's a fan. He adores it, which is why so many of us (us = music fans) identify with him. He has such a love for music that he goes to the extent of trying to make his own. When listening to "Nice" you realize one thing...that everyone involved is having a good time doing what they love. The tracks sound tight, together, but also very natural. Nothing sounds strained or reaching. It sounds like when they made this CD, the band was having a lot of fun, and that makes it easier for the listener to get into the vibe.

"Nice" is full of the Rollins aggression that we expect and love, but there are several nice surprises thrown in, like the funky "Up For It". This is a CD that I think any Rollins fan will be really happy with.

The new Rollins Band album totally brings back the energy and balls of full-on Thin Lizzy/Sabbath/"Funhouse"-era Stooges jams, reverent of the past without sounding dated or contrived. I ran out and picked this up first thing this morning, after having loved "Get Some..", after I (eventually) picked that one up a coupla months ago. Anyone who's the least bit skeptical of checking out Rollins w/new backing band Mother Superior (their new album rocks too, btw), after spinning the disc, you might not feel so nostalgic for the days of Haskett, Weiss/Melvin, & Sim. What's kind of amazing is to watch Rollins continue on an upwards trajectory, not shedding any of the intensity or need to rock, especially when thinking of the spotty history of some of his influences (Iggy Pop comes to mind...) who couldn't maintain this kind of consistency/quality. Can't wait to check this out live. If there's anyone out there still interested in music beyond the disposable flavor of the week on radio/MTV, this is a necessity. Check it out.

Upon hearing that Henry Rollins added organ, horns, and female backing vocals to this album, you'd figure he was finally slowing down. Not by a long shot. This is easily his best album since Weight and certainly his most diverse. The intensity is still there and in full force on the killer opening track "One Shot" and the slow grinding tracks "Hello" and "Hanging Around." The great heavy metal that dominated his previous album Get Some Go Again is still here in the tracks "What's The Matter Man", "Stop Look and Listen", and "Gone Inside The Zero." But amazingly, the songs that work best here are the most diverse. "Up For It" and "I Want So Much More" are definitely a change of pace with the soulful backing vocals and the killer sax solo in the latter. "We Walk Alone" starts out with a repetitive rock riff before going almost completely silent after the solo and then ending with a blues jam which leads right into the killer groove of "Let That Devil Out." Marcus Blake's bass work is great throughout, most notably on the driving riff that carries the excellent track "Your Number Is One." Only the slow grunge of "Going Out Strange" keeps this from being a 5-star album. If you liked Henry Rollins when he was at his most visible in the mid-90's and wondered what he's been doing lately, check this album out. You won't be disappointed.

Rollins stretchs out the band on this release, mixing in some jazz and funk into his approach. Every track still carries the usual edge and the long dirge is totally absent for the album (a big plus). It's not as readily accessable as "Get Some" but once it sticks, it sticks.
P.S.- One should seek out "A Nicer Shade Of Red" from the 2.13.61 website if they enjoyed this CD. Like "Get Some", this was recorded with double CD intention, so the outtakes will provide the rest of the "Nice" story with some of the material found there better than what made it on this actual release.

Alright, everything Hank has done is profound. But this album is one of his best(trust me I have them all). Backed by Mother Superior, Rollins let's it all out. The music is just as powerful as the words. If you don't buy this Cd you might as well cut off your ... and scream "I'm a eunuch" at the top of your lungs while buying a Stevie Nicks Album.

This album is the this incarnation of the Rollins Band what The End of Silence was to the first...they have gelled as a unit and detsroy everything in their path.
Try to pick up the import version with the additional tracks Nowhere to Go But Inside and Too Much Rock& Roll, which might be the best song on the album. (It's a ripping rant on Dreamworks, if I read between the lines correctly.)
The band shows their versatility and keeps you guessing about what's coming next. True to Rollins form, though, these tracks pump you up and send you on your way in awe. Great lyrics, crunching guitar stuff and a world class rhythm section. It really captures the energy of a live Rollins Band show with some of the best production values of any Rollins album to date.

The first cd with the crew from Mother Superior, Get Some Go Again, was a little disappointment from previous Rollins Band albums. But with 'Nice', Rollins is right back in top form. If you liked Rollins Band from the late 80's and early 90's, you will love this album.

I haven't heard the cd version yet as it has just been released today, but I just came back from the New Orleans show yesterday. The Rollins Band came to play, and I can't think of a better way to be introduced to their new material. The setlist included roughly 75% of the new songs, all of which were superbly executed by the band and intensly performed by Henry. "Your Number is One" is a study in rhythm and timing. "Going Out Strange" is hard, mean and wonderfully gritty. The other songs were amazing. I can't tell you how much pure energy emenates from Hank and the boys live. All of the young moshers were tiredly leaning on each other at the end of the show and Rollins was still up there jammin' like he wasn't going to stop, didn't want to stop, and had no intention of doing so. This is pure rock n roll, people. It doesn't get any more real, intense, or honest than this. trae3@swbell.net

The new Rollins Band album totally brings back the energy and balls of full-on Thin Lizzy/Sabbath/"Funhouse"-era Stooges jams, reverent of the past without sounding dated or contrived. I ran out and picked this up first thing this morning, after having loved "Get Some..", after I (eventually) picked that one up a coupla months ago. Anyone who's the least bit skeptical of checking out Rollins w/new backing band Mother Superior (their new album rocks too, btw), after spinning the disc, you might not feel so nostalgic for the days of Haskett, Weiss/Melvin, & Sim. What's kind of amazing is to watch Rollins continue on an upwards trajectory, not shedding any of the intensity or need to rock, especially when thinking of the spotty history of some of his influences (Iggy Pop comes to mind...) who couldn't maintain this kind of consistency/quality. Can't wait to check this out live. If there's anyone out there still interested in music beyond the disposable flavor of the week on radio/MTV, this is a necessity. Check it out.

This album was everything I had hoped it to be. Rollins (or should I say "the throat") does it again with this creative explosition. The straight forward lyrics and sound were the most obvious of its charms. I find that the genre that is being promoted (or is it invented?) by Rollins himself is best represented in this album.

I highly recomend this to anyone that wants a musical experience that kicks your ass.