Customer Reviews

People Get Ready

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

 

 

From the distorted guitar start of "People Get Ready" to its soulful finish, the Mooney Suzuki proves beyond the shadow of doubt that great American rock still exists. What this album lacks in depth in more than makes up for with attitude. This is roots rock the way it was originally created. After giving this one a listen you can list about 100 bands that they remind you of, yet borrow absolutely nothing. The Mooney Suzuki have a very distinct sound in a somewhat cloned genre. I believe most reviewers are a little too liberal with the 5 star rating, but I feel I can deem this one an "underground" classic.

"People Get Ready" is a great, back-to-business rock 'n' roll album from neo-punks Mooney Suzuki. This band is sort of like the White Stripes and the Strokes but without the arty pretensions. In fact, the lead singer has said in an interview that he doesn't use a riff that he *hasn't* heard before. I agree with some of the reviewers that this band sounds like the MC5. Though the '5's first album was recorded live in concert, the debut effort from MS is a studio album in the sense of "live in the studio" (that is, everything recorded in a take, without overdubs). Being from Boston, I think this band has a lot of the same attitude as Boston's late great J. Geils Band, except Geils, at least before "Centerfold," was an R & B band, whereas the Suzuki get stoked on fun, Ramones-style punk rock.

This album isn't that bad, just not that good. It's obvious from this album that their strength is their live show. If you haven't seen them live yet, you should, if just once. Theres no need to see them twice. You get the idea. I'm afraid that the main weakness of this album is the rather mediocre songs. Good raw production, and the guitars have a lot of power, but that can't hide the fact that the songs are pretty .... I bought this album after seeing them play live. You probably will too. Their live show must have tricked me into thinking these were good songs. Oh well, at least The Mc5 had some good tunes. Back In The USA is 6000 times better than this. Better luck next time boys.

I'm very glad that I downloaded this album instead of buying it. The first few times I listened to it, I thought it was the coolest, greatest thing ever. But then I realized that almost all the songs are in the same key, and that the singer had to be the worst lyricist in the history of man. My advice is: go ahead and download this. Maybe you'll like it, maybe you won't. Just remember to save your money for something truly great like Elf Power's opus Creatures or the new Sigur Ros album that will be released next week (I can hardly wait!).

Listen, this is not a good record it is a phenomenal record. Of course the MC5 is there, some Stooges, a dash of Kinks ("You really got me" Dave Davies guitar solo is quoted/alluded to perfectly) and some J. Geils pre-video but I think they sound like a long-forgotten 90's subpop band from Denver, The Fluid. In other words this is high-energy stuff, neither too raw or self-conscious is-it-or-aint-blues art-chic like Jon Spencer. It plays better than any Mudhoney record (better vocalist) with the same composite influences. Well done especially if you're a Back from the Grave, Crypt fanatic. Bye the way, Back in the USA was not a good record and I'm not afraid to say that this one gleams the best from that band and goes farther (Remember the MC5 never matched their live act once on vinyl.) "Oh no" should be all over the radio as well as "I say I love you". Enjoy and no record ever outdoes a band like this live, but really that might be the point. Drive to Tijuana with this blasting and tell me what YOU think!

in my opinion this album is better than electric sweat... it is more representative of their awesome live show. whenever i need a mooney fix and they're not in town i pop this cd in and it eases my pain. this band is the greatest rock n roll band of recent time, maybe its because they sound so much like the oldtimers. if you like mc5 and no gimmicks rock n roll- buy it!!

It's not often I listen to a cd and am so excited I want to call all my friends one by one to tell them about it. With The Mooney Suzuki that was the case. A little Creation, some Kinks and some Who, and a little of The Ramones and Mudhoney's playfulness. All in a style they've molded into their own. Seeing these guys live is a treat that you should not miss out on...these guys rock.

I really heard you for the first time on one of the Late Night shows. So I "saw" and heard you. Wonderful combination of performance art. Reminiscent of MC-5. Wayne Kramer and crew. Avante garde for their time and maybe for yours as well. I heard Mooney Suzuki for about 30 seconds and realized this is a group that could be around for awhile, barring ego problems from within the band. I hope you guys keep playing for the fun that you seem to be having. That kind of fun is magical to an audience. I'm a 44 year old woman who would love to hear more of your music. Keep it coming and keep it fun!

The Mooney Suzuki's debut is an all-out fiasco of hand-clappin, foot-stompin energy. Songs that will get stuck in your head for years to come, music that will make you believe that rocknroll is still alive and well. I recommend this record if you like: The Go, The Makers, The Make-Up, The Delta 72, The Kinks, MC5, Sly & The Family Stone, and The Who.

No, it's not as good as 'Electric Sweat'; yes, it's self-consciously retro, even (dare I say it) kitschy -- but that doesn't stop 'People Get Ready' from working as an exercise in balls-out rock'n'roll that's also a lot of fun. And don't write these guys off as a novelty nostalgia act, either. 'A Song About Today' is one of those absolutely flawless songs that has everything in exactly the right place -- the vocals border on hysterical, the guitars feed back at the right pitch, the bassline drops an octave at exactly the right moment. Best of all, it's exactly what it claims to be: a song about today. Some tracks here are a little weak, but who cares? Not only do these guys pair unpretentious rock (no grunge-era navel gazing or punk-era angst here) with old fashioned rock attitude (as if there were anything wrong with a little showmanship), for the last track they trot out and honest-to-god organ. Point to the Stooges, the MC5, the New York Dolls and even the Flamin' Groovies as primary influences all you want; but that organ is pure Faces.