Customer Reviews

The Post Wave

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

 

 

Strangely enough, most of the reviews on this page talk about this cd as a ska/punk cd. In reality, there's no ska on this cd. Maybe I should listen to it again -- perhaps there's some in "When We Were Queens." But 90% of this cd is NOT ska (note to fellow reviewers: horns do not a ska band make).

The album was a conscious effort by the band to move away from genres in general -- they never wanted to restrict themselves to a particular type of music, to which their earlier music is a testament. Ska/punk was the most pervasive flavor, and the Meanies toured with ska groups, but they often went on the record as saying they didn't like genre labels.

But labelling things is what we do anyway. This cd ends up with a "new wave" rock kind of sound. Poppy, yes. "Poppy ska/punk," absolutely not. Poppy ska/punk is The Chinkees. I like this cd a lot, but it gets more negative hype than positive. If you're into trying something new, pick up the Post Wave. But don't believe the hype. If these guys think this cd is trashy ska/punk they probably don't know what ska/punk is.

Favorite songs: Chemicals, Lose Your Mind

This cd is absolute garbage. I bought it the day it came out, loved Blue Meanies. I listened to this crap once and it was enough. Not much of a surprise this band vanished shortly following its release. Its almost as if they purposely sabotaged their band because you know that having made Full Throttle and KYAG they knew how to deliver quality. Proceed to buy their other albums and consider yourself saved.

The Blue Meanies finally signed to a big label which had many of their fans thinking it was the big sellout. I wouldn't say they have sold out but they are much more 'polished'. The Post Wave is a decent album for the Blue Meanies. This is pretty impressive considering a crappy album by them is still worlds better than a 'decent' release by most of today's artists. Their sound is much more polished and user friendly this time around. It may come as a suprise to those who remember the classic Blue Meanies raw, rough sound. The Post Wave does not have the same edge as past releases but their sense of humor and political awareness is still there. The music still sounds like a punk circus but just a more friendly version.

As ska became more and more mainstream/limited thanks to bands like No Doubt, the Blue Meanies seemed to be blazing a new trail and showing that ska could encompass countless other genres (much as Madness did in the 80s). With a creative flair and gusto that most bands struggle to even come close to, the Meanies released two fantastic albums ("Kiss Your Ass Goodbye" and "Full Throttle") that encompassed more genres than are even possible to list here.

However, as unique and exciting as their previous albums were, this one is painfully watered down and merely an attempt to make it "big" in an industry where they never belonged in the first place. With a completely pop-ska feel, the band has limited themselves and turned their back on their eclectic nature. Sadly, the end result sounds like they are sleepwalking. Songs such as "TV Girl," "All the Same," "Big Brother's Watching," and "Camaro Man" are such spineless and flagrant attempts to appeal to the masses that it is upsetting just to listen to them.

Sure, some of the lyrics appear to have an edgy/controversial feel to them, but they come across as forced and bland hints of the quality messages that the Meanies had on such fantastic songs as, "Pave the World," and "The Great Peacemaker." It must be said that it appears more that the Meanies are just going through the motions rather than actually developing any new and exciting meanings to their songs.

The integration of horns, synths, and standard rock instruments that the Meanies have on this album is certainly tight, but it is not as inspired as in previous (and more sloppy) albums. In fact, it is this inspired madcap sound that made them such a fantastic group to begin with...and this is sorely lacking in every aspect on "the Post Wave." It is as if the band practiced these songs for countless hours and, by the time they got into the studio, was bored to death of them.

If I had not ever heard the Blue Meanies before I would discard this album without a second thought, labeling it as just another lame ska-punk album. However, thanks to their previously fantastic output and live shows in Boston, this album is just a phenomenal disappointment from start to finish from a band that should have remained focused on their music as opposed to appealing to the masses.

The Blue Meanies are my home town band. I grew up listening to them. They are the reason I began listening to ska and punk in the first place. After quite a few years now, They have finally disappointed me with this CD. I still love them and this CD is still good, just not AS good as some of their other stuff. The originality in their use of horns, their very upbeat tempo, lyrics, and Billy Spunk's vocals perfectly compliment eachother to creat the most incredible music I think I've ever listened to. They are the best "Ska core...Punk core..ska, punk whatever" band around. I hope they continue to create great music even after the changes their going through. While not quite what they're capable of, I still recommend this to anyone who likes good music. Be sure to also pick up their live CD, music of unmatched brilliance.

I am a fan of "Pave the World" and "Full Throttle." The Blue Meanies came to my town not too long ago. I went to hear the old stuff, but also to hear the new stuff. I love it. The new stuff is different, but it has a certain rad quality to it. I like the change. They should be experimenting with their style.

thats all i could think of when i heard it. a change, yes. but great stuff. As usual they throw everything into their music, punk rock jazz pop and this time just a hint of ska. the horns are great, and you can hear the keyboards a lot. i dont know a lot of their old stuff (only most of the asian man stuff, cause im a loser), but this rocks. if this made sense to you, my fav. songs are Do the Tightbelt, Lose Your Mind, Chemicals, and When We Were Queens

I remember when the blue meanies were one of about ten "ska" bands that I liked, then they were one of three (LTJ and MU330 being the others) and now... well... where are the crazy horns that attracted me to them in the first place? where are the odd time signatures? diminished fifths? only three tracks here even show a shadow of the old band (do the tightbelt, mama getting high on chardonnay, and employee 00765) and at that they still don't have the same fire. I picked this up expecting another urine trouble or full throttle and I got pop punk. To be fair, it's pretty good as pop punk goes, but it's still missing something. Leaves me wondering whether it has to do with the major label switch or not. I'd like to think it doesn't.

This CD is one of the best ska/punk CDs Ive heard in a long time. It's refreshing to hear this kind of stuff after listening to Less Than Jake and Mustard Plug for so long. Songs like "All The Same" and "Big Brother Is Watching" convey the messages and ideals that define punk, while still managing to maintain a fun, upbeat vibe. This CD is a must-have for anyone who calls themself "Up to date" on the punk/ska music scene.