The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death

Housemartins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: November 17, 1987
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002H57
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,041 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. People Who Grinned Themselves to Death

2. I Can't Put My Finger on It

3. The Light Is Always Green

4. The World's on Fire

5. Pirate Aggro

6. We're Not Going Back

7. Me and the Farmer

8. Five Get Over Excited

9. Johannesburg

10. Bow Down

11. You Better Be Doubtful

12. Build

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Eighties pop guilty pleasure with a message, September 17, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death (Audio CD)

The Housemartins were one of the most brilliant and underrated bands of the 1980's and this is their masterpiece. From the anthemic title track to the eerie closer "Build", the Housemartins show why they were absolute masters of a sound that was unmistakably British, unabashedly political, and undeniably pop. In an era of conservatism, the Housemartins addressed class issues with a double edged sword of soaring harmonies and biting sarcasm. What really sets this album apart from the band's lesser work though, is its variety. Slower numbers like "The Light is Always Green" and the album's gem "Johannesburg" mesh beautifully with uptempo rockers like "Me And The Farmer" and "I Can't Put My Finger On It", which contains one of the most infectious guitar hooks ever written. A true classic of eighties British pop, "The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death" is a must-have for anyone who appreciates English guitar pop, liberal politics, and harmonies that would make Lennon and McCartney jealous. I'll give it four stars, only because its sound is unlikely to win over someone who ordinarily does not listen to this type of music. You'll give it five.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fun, light but lyrically interesting and intelligent, April 2, 2006

By 

ingonyama "ingonyama" (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death (Audio CD)

This album got heavy airplay when I was a college radio dj back in the day & once again a few years ago when I got a car with a cassette player. Just picked up the "Now that's what i call quite good" compilation at a used CD store and can't wait to play it...

The guy who compared this musically to Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys is on crack. About all they have in common is that they're from Britain and they recorded in the 1980s. This album is all guitar/drum driven, not a synth. in sight.

On the other hand the comparison with the Balancing Act is right on...Three Squares and a Roof is highly recommended if you can hold of it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this cd, March 13, 2008

By 

L. Jackson (MissionViejo, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death (Audio CD)

PD Heaton is a genius - anything he sings can turn any frown upside down. A fun, upbeat cd, great for anyone...