Customer Reviews

The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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

This is one of my favortite recordings. It always cheers me up to hear it. If you like this as much as I do, you'll also likely enjoy the quirky sound of The Balancing Act, Three Squares and a Roof, another great, albeit obscure, album.

'TPWGTTD' is one of the best brit-pop releases ever! If you want a good example of wry, tongue-in-cheek, up-tempo, quality pop muzik (talk about, Pop Muzik!), look no further. It is bands like The Housemartins and The Church that made me realize most good pop rock occured years ago, compared to the mostly garbage that's out now.

I love everything about this album. I've been listening to it since I was in college. I love the wry, subtle political and social commentary present in most songs. I love their voices and harmony. The slow songs like Build and The Light is Always Green and especially Johanesburg are the best. And any pop band that is willing to throw in instrumentals is cool in my book.

Heaton and co. has marked their place in the music history by doing "The People Who grinned Themselves to Death". The voice of Heaton is like a save by Peter Schmeikel and the music is like a penalty score by Andy Cole. The album as a whole is like Man U. at the first place in Premiere league. I can't help it but I think "Build" is a song so close to Beatles that is possible. I usually don't compare any artists with the B. And the clothes they wear! Where can I buy them?????? If someone knows or want to share their inner thougts about The H. please write and tell me. The Pusjkins is also a good band. It's a swedish female band. But Oasis sucks!!! The 90th century sucks. Please bring me back to 1984.

Words cannot even begin to describe what a quality album this is. I must admit that I usually skip over the slow ones, but that is only because their fast songs are so appealing. An album that is worth every bit of what you'd pay for it.

I can't remember how I got to first listen to the Housemartins, but I remember I liked them from the beginning. They don't have so deep lyrics, but they are great with melodies (check out Pirate Aggro). This is definitely a must have, I haven't listened to other Housemartins records, but this is album is good enough to love their music.

I'd say the highlights on this album are "The People Who Grinned...", "Pirate Aggro" and "Bow Down", but still you can listen to it as a whole over and over again.

The most funny thing about it is that their bassist was the man we now know as Fatboy Slim (aka Norman Cook aka Quentin Cook).

SOME SAY REMINISCENT OF MORRISEY, YES BUT ALSO IMAGINE PAUL WELLER AND THE "JAM" WITH POP RIFS, MOTOWN INFLUENCE, AND HARD BASS DRIVEN BACKS. IT'S GREAT AND A FIT, LISTEN AGAIN AND AGAIN! DON'T EVER FORGET THE INFLUENCE OF "KINKS" ENGLAND STREET LIFE LYRICS LIKE "BRICK TO BRICK, WE BUILD."