Phenobarb Bambalam

Chris Connelly | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tvt
• ASIN: B000003RFL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,420 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #18 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Goth & Industrial
  • #53 in Music > World Music > Europe > British Isles > Scotland
  • #87 in Music > Alternative Rock > Goth & Industrial > Industrial > Alt Industrial

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars unheard-of masterpiece, August 6, 2006

By 

James (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phenobarb Bambalam (Audio CD)

it's always puzzled me why Chris Connelly never got the respect he deserved, hell, everyone I know has no clue who he is, much less heard any of his material. this was the first cd that i listened to from him (at the time i didn't even have a clue he had any affiliation with Ministry) and it stunned me at how wonderful the music was. the depth of Connelly's songwriting is genius, and i still can't seem to figure out why this guy isn't on par socially with other eclectic songwriters like David Bowie or Lou Reed. this guy can go from heavy industrialized rockers ("Dirtbox Tennessee", "Ignition Times Four") to gentler tracks ("No Lesser of Two Evils", "Heartburn"), he sometimes finds a balance between the styles ("Come Down Here", "July") and manages to evenly throw it all in one album. Connelly's girlfriend committed suicide during the recording of Phenobarb Bambalam, which i'm assuming is one of the reasons why this album has an underlying darkness and eeriness to it.

it's refreshing to hear an album as original and creative as this, especially when original and creative is few and far between these days. hopefully in time more people will come across this album and hold it in such high regard as i do.. i could easily say this is in my top five of the most affecting albums i've ever had the pleasure of listening to.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very underrated, October 29, 2002

By 

M. Haverstock (Tinley Park, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Phenobarb Bambalam (Audio CD)

It's kind of funny- when I first got this album it was way back in the day and I was into industrial and the Ministry/Revco/etc thing. So I picked this up and boy am I glad I did. I lost interest in the whole industrial scene but I suspect that is the reason this album is not well known- people probably suspect it to be in that vein but they could not be further from the truth. Conversely I think there are people who WERE looking for it to be a hard driving album and were dissapointed. Yes there are some elements in there, but this is a beautifuly constructed album and I would dare to say not a bad song on here. Looking back I would say it has aged quite well compared to other releases of the time. 5 stars are given quite liberally on Amazon, but this is truely worthy of 5 stars

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful achievement that goes unheard, June 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Phenobarb Bambalam (Audio CD)

This is a stunning album that seems to have fallen between the cracks. I've never known anyone that has that has heard of the album much less actually heard it. I suppose I would have to compare it to a vital Bowie at his very best. I say this because when I've played the album with people around they ask if it is the thin white duke.

I would suspect Connelly would have at least a Cult status/following similar to Aphex Twin or a Fripp, but he seems to have missed that boat as well.