Customer Reviews

Oriental Beat

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

 

 

This album was my first introduction to Hanoi Rocks, and I had never heard of the band before, as I was only about 5 when Razzle was killed and they disbanded. It started about 2 years ago when I was looking for something to buy at a used CD store, and the cover caught my eye. Being a fan of the 80s hair bands I was drawn to the cover because it showed the band looking all tattooed and scruffy, with their big hair. It was only like $4.99 used so I figured what the hey, and I bought it, not really expecting that much. This album is now one of my favorite CDs of all time, and I own almost 500. Every song is great, not a dull moment. These guys just have great style, and the music just flows so smoothly, every song is incredibly catchy, and the lyrics are so much fun. Monroe is a great saxophone player, as he belts out awesome solos throughout. Soundwise, these guys are a direct cross between the 70s punk scene, and the 80s hairbands. But believe me, they are 10 times better than any 70s punk bands or 80s hairbands, except for maybe GnR, who they influenced a great deal. You can tell that Slash and Izzy must have listened to these guys a lot as you can hear shades of 'Appetite for Destruction' in the guitar playing. The highlights of the album include 'Motorvatin', 'Teenangels outsiders', 'Visitor', 'Dont follow me', 'Devil Woman', 'lightning bar blues', 'Oriental beat', and 'fallen star'. Thats almost every song, the songs I didnt mention are also very good, but these songs are unreal. 'Fallen Star' is a great ballad to close out the album, you can really feel the emotion in monroe's voice. Anyway, this is a perfect place to start if you want to get into Hanoi Rocks. If you are a fan of rock, punk, metal, or any kind of music, I don't see how you wouldnt love this album. Id give it 10 stars if I could.

Another great record by a great band. It kicks from "Motorvatin'" til the end. An absolute must for anyone who appreciates talent from their musicians. Michael & Andy prove once more that they are a step above the rest. Buy it, you will love every minute of it.

sadly, Hanoi Rocks always seemed to be standing on the side, watching as the bands who they influenced skyrocketed to stardom. bands like Poison, Motley Crue, and Guns N' Roses. but frankly, Hanoi Rocks contains alot more charm and better songs than any of those bands. fusing the best elements of glam, blues, pop, and some strong dub/reggae undertones (mostly in some of the basslines used in a few of their songs); Hanoi Rocks forged a back catalogue of essential and highly influential albums. recommended listening for fans of T.Rex, The New York Dolls, and The Clash.

Oriental Beat is the second album from these Hanoi Rocks and it's a lot more pop-oriented than their other releases. which is not a bad thing...tracks like "Don't Follow Me", "Teenangels Outsiders", and "Motorvatin'" excel in this kind of songwriting formula; and if there was any justice in the world, these songs would have been huge radio hits! but with all this slick pop business going down, their glammy trashy underbelly is still showing on strong tracks like "Lightening Bar Blues" and the title track.

for those of you who have yet to explore the fantastic music of this amazing band, Oriental Beat may not be the best place to begin...i would recommend starting with the Bangkok Shocks... album or maybe Back To Mystery City. but this still stands as an excellent record from a superior band!

Love the LP, did not like the production. THe original tapes are nowhere to be found from what i have been told. As a result it can be remastered but not remixed properly. The songs that appear on the boxset from this LP are far superior...just check out Devil Woman..i did not like this version but the boxset is amazing.

1. Motorvatin' - the live version is better. Sebastian Bach covers this as well.
2. Don't Follow Me - ok
3. Visitor - great tune...left in lunacy!
4. Teenangels Outsiders - ok
5. Sweet Home Suburbia - ok
6. M.C. Baby - great rocking tune.
7. No Law Or Order - not for me..but good.
8. Oriental Beat - fast, upbeat
9. Devil Woman - awesome, just not this version.
10. Lightnin' Bar Blues - very casual..its a Hoyt Axton cover.
11. Fallen Star - nice vocals from Michael - Sebastian Bach also covered this song.

Go get it...this was the 2nd studio LP..but the guy who produced it...did not like drums????

Hanoi Rocks pressed into early 1982 with their sophomore release `Oriental Beat' which, just as their debut did, gave the Finnish rockers a distinction that set them apart from many of their glam ilk. New York Dolls and Clash references are littered throughout this record but nothing sounds too derivative as to lack authenticity; these boys did know the rough side of life as did their antecedents. "Motorvatin'" gets the LP going in fine fashion and "Don't Follow Me", which follows it, are two of the finest songs in this or any Hanoi Rocks collection. Speaking of the Dolls, "MC Baby" is reminiscent of "Personality Crisis" and "No Law and Order" sounds like it could have been a track on `London Calling'. The title track sort of spells out the band's philosophy and it perfectly sums up the exotic qualities that the name Hanoi Rocks conjures up. In interviews the band have said that they were not crazy about the production on `Oriental Beat' but I don't really see much of a difference from "Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes" in terms of overall sound quality although the former has more of Michael Monroe's sax playing but that might be a sign of the growing confidence in the young front man's abilities. Throw in a cover of a Hoyt Axton country blues and you have another striking collection of songs from Hanoi Rocks, a true lost gem in any survey of 80's bands.

This album Rocks. This is the one to get. Ive been listening to this album since around 1985 and it rocks. The drummer of the band "Razzle" was the guy that was with Vince Neil who got killed in the DUI accident. Anyway ive listened to their other albums but this one is the best. If I had to pick 10 records (cd's) to be on an island by myself forever This one would be highly concidered as one of them. Thats how I rate my music.

Brilliant punky glam racket!

Track Listing
1. Motorvatin'
2. Don't Follow Me
3. Visitor
4. Teenangels Outsiders
5. Sweet Home Suburbia
6. M. C. Baby
7. No Law Or Order
8. Oriental Beat
9. Devil Woman
10. Lightnin' Bar Blues
11. Fallen Star

Not so much to say, songs as Motorvatin' saying
"I've got skin thight jeans and high heel shoes, A leather jacket and nothing to lose Gotta rock the nation, down the filling station" are the perfect match that's why they were one of the best 80's metal bands...