Customer Reviews

Proud Like a God

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I first heard the Guano Apes via some pirated MP3's from my friends in Russia. I liked the music so much I actually tracked down an import CD at Amazon even when the folks at my local CD store said there was no such group and no such CD.

This is *not* musical valium. It's very high energy, innovative rock with a metal edge. Unlike most CDs, with one cool track and the rest filler, this has at least four intense, memorable keeper tracks:

Must hear: "Open Your Eyes"... their big hit in Europe and worth every second. "Crossing the Deadline" ... innovative, intense, rockin'. "Lord of the Boards" ... head bangin'. "Maria" ... wallow in walls of sound.

The Apes are touring small clubs in the US this winter. See their website for tour info.

I don't even remember how I heard about this band at first...probably just from randomly seeing them on a shelf at a cd store. I came on here and took a listen to the 30 second samples, and I knew I had to buy it. This band puts out so much energy in their heavier tracks, and then pours out their emotion on the softer tracks, putting together one of the better albums I've heard in a while. The song "Open Your Eyes" is a great way to kick off the album, blasting their metal edge away right from the start. Then a couple songs into the cd, they mellow out and create my personal favorite song and their most emotional tune on the album, "Rain". Then with the very next tune, their back laying their s**t down with "Lords of the Boards". My favorite tracks include their beautiful "Rain", their Primus-like "We Use the Pain", "Open Your Eyes", and their laid-back "Get Busy". This band definitely knows how to write great tunes of varying styles. Definitely worth a shot, so check it out.

This is a review that I wrote for my school newspaper. Any copyright information can be obtained at www.fsview.com.

Imagine combining Jewel and Limp Bizkit or Tori Amos and Korn. It may sound outlandish, but you'd be surprised. Something along these lines is what you'll find on Proud Like A God. This debut from the Germany based Guano Apes was released in America on Tuesday. It was unveiled overseas in 1997 by Supersonic and Gun, and has gone platinum in Germany, as well as gold in four other countries. The album, which was produced by Wolfgang Stach, is guaranteed to find its way to the top of the charts in the States as well. The Apes are Dennis Poschwatta (drums), Stefan Ude (bass), and Henning Ruemenapp (guitar). However, the most striking element of this group is vocalist Sandra Nasic, who also writes all of the lyrics. Nasic displays an incredible vocal range, similar to that of singer Jewel. While she is loud and intense on some songs (in a style influenced by groups like Limp Bizkit), several slow, soft ballads are also featured on the album. The range of the band, when comparing songs, is also amazing. It is impossible to pigeon-hole this group into one musical genre. Proud Like A God combines elements of hard-core, punk, and a hint of hip-hop. But then, that is exactly what makes this CD such a pleasure to listen to - no song is like the one before it. The album opens with "Open Your Eyes", a song with a pulsating beat that is sure to become a club favorite. "Rain" is the first impressive ballad on the disc. After listening to previous songs, this is a quiet break from chaos. "Lords of the Boards," the official song of the 1998 European Snowboard Championships, is reminiscent of many well-known hard rock groups. Without doubt, it will create a stir in mosh pits nationwide. The Apes present another acidic track with "Wash It Down." It is loud and energetic, and the inspiration that Nasic gained from many rappers is evident in the fast-paced verses. The only downfall of the entire album is the final track, entitled "Tribute." This nine-minute long song is painfully slow at points and rather tedious. Still, it's only a small blip on the face of an impressive first effort. The Guano Apes are unlike any group on the U.S. music scene today. Their music, which is alive with the obvious passion of its players, is what America has been waiting to hear.

I'm Italian, and I saw their concert in Milan on 9 - 10 - 1999, because I was curios about this strange band. I wanted to know their music better, because I only knew their hit "open your eyes", and decide later to buy this record or not. I was so enthusiastic about their music that I bought their album and the cd-single too. I can't describe their music, but I try to do it. It's a mix of punk-rock, techno, hip-hop but with 140 bps. And I love it. Sandra has an incredible voice, and is also the writer of the words of the songs. The best song of the album are: Open your eyes, Lords of the boards (very punk), Wash it down (quite techno for the drums) and Maria ( a very beautyful slow song). All this in two words? OK! BUY IT!

It was about 3:00 AM, me and my friend were down on my pull out bed couch. I'm not sure what he was doing, probably sleeping, and i was rummaging through his large binder of cd's. i came across "Guano Apes", whom he had earlier told me about. I was beginning to get frusterated because i hadn't come upon one cd that i'd liked yet, but then the guano apes album changed it all.
After the first song, "Open Your Eyes", i was immediately sucked in. Yes, it was weird hearing a woman rap (or what appeared to atleast sound like a rap), and at first, well, i'd thought she was a man by how she sounded. However, the rap like song was somewhat catchy, and the more altern. rock styled chorus was even more catchy. Into the second track, at first, i thought that it sounded alot like an Enya song, but then surprised me as Sandra (lead singer) launced into screaming accompanied by heavy guitars.

Well, to make a long story short, this album put me on an emotional roller coaster, but one that i enjoyed. You'd think with all of the different styles of music that are explored on this album you might not like most of it, but the guano apes have a way of making it all sound the same yet different.
The only reason i give this album four stars is because over time and much listening the songs get old somewhat quickly. However, still a great album and worthy of the cost!!!

Though the Guano Apes try a variety of musical styles on "Proud Like A God," the loud heavy metal songs like "Open Your Eyes," "Was Is Down" and "Lord Of The Boards" are the best. Sandra Nasic has a great screaming voice, the band's main asset. "Lord Of The Board" is by far the best song. I like the way the song is structured into three distinct parts: opening with Russian tea room mandolin, then a hip hop beat as she explains her love for snow boarding then slamming into the hardest metal as she shouts at the top of her lungs that she is, indeed, the Lord of the Boards. More people should have such passion.

Unlike most people, I didn't buy this album cause there was a bat on the cover or cause I only wanted it for the song "open your eyes". I bought this album cause I knew it would be an awesome album and I was right. It's a hard rock album that can get really heavy at times where it's almost metal. The music is all well done and diverse which can sometimes be a problem for some hard rock groups (they just play simple chords and notes at high volume) but not in this case and the vocals are great. Some people might be put off by a woman being behind the mic but this is no ordinary woman, Sanda Nasic has a very unique voice. She can sing sweetly at a low volume or she can open up with a melodic scream that works perfectly with the music. All the lyrics are very well written as well. I think this is a great album for someone that's looking for a different hard rock group with some real talent.

My boyfriend actually turned me on to this band, which is an oddity in itself becuase if it doesn't have perpetual double bass and thrashing guitars he's literally deaf to anything else. I, on the other hand, and a total sucker for any band with a female vocalist, which is why i'm so incredibly obsessed with feminist punk rock and such, but after he played this cd, i couldn't get enough of it. i still have his copy of this cd in my car and it still has not left my cd player. Hands down the best song is "Rain" i know most people like "Open you Eyes" the best, probably becuase it was the first song they ever heard by Guano Apes, but i instantly fell in love with "Rain" the first second i heard it. i actually wish more songs on this CD were in this fashion!

The only reason i didn't give this CD a 5 was because of the occasional over-abbundance of the whole "rock/rap" thing which is just plain annoying to me. even at its peak of popularity thanks in part to Limp Bzikit, Kork, 311, (hed) PE and the likes, rock/rap was not my cup of tea and still isn't now. this girl has an amazing voice and her "rapping" or whatever it is, is just unecesary. USE YOUR PIPES! aside from this minor flaw (and hey, we all have 'em) this Cd is definitely a keeper.

I have a method to buying CD's, if i don't think i'll listen to it 10 years from now, its not worth my money. this has always been a good method for me, and has always held true for me. all the CD's i bought 10+ years ago are still on heavy rotation in my mix, and this, is surely one of them.

I've been an extreme fan of the Guano Apes since their beginning, and "Proud Like a God", in my opinion, is their greatest work. When you first play it, you're hit with the energy that is Sandra Nasic in the song "Open Your Eyes". The album is set up in a way that if you are to listen to it straight through, the tracks go from soft ballads to hard-hitting straight of rock. Sandra's vocal abilities are best heard in "Proud Like a God"-she can yell, and still sings softly in songs like "Never Born". I recommend this album to everyone, due to the ever-present fact that the Guano Apes are crossover and so many styles of music are in this one CD.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Why don't the radio stations play this music? I was visiting a friend in Seattle and he introduced me to Guano Apes's music. The first song I heard was "Lords of the Boards". Totally incredible transitions during the song! Incredible music. "Crossing the Deadline"... another amazing song. Great lyrics. "We use the Pain"... great use of effects. Lead vocals are that of a syren. She really puts it to me. Overall this band is under rated by the radio stations and I would have never heard of them unless someone told me about them. Please Please keep making music. Rock on!