Customer Reviews

Remote Control

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This my favorite Tubes album. Of course, having seen the tour I am biased. WHile I would like to see this album re-mastered, it still sounds great. What a perfect concept album for a band called "The Tubes" since television has often been called 'the tube.' Others have reviewed the individual songs quite well so I will simply state that it really does come together because of the strengths of the individual members, the songwriting amd Todd Rundgren's production. Oh, and having seen the tour, I can guarantee that contrary to several reviewers, every song carries out the television theme. It was a masterpiece of staging and performance. When Fee commited suicide ("telecide") by throwing himself at a TV just as the explosion in the music occurs, their ingenuity was apparent. When looking at my photos from the night, I still marvel at the distorted face of Mr Waybill as he "wears" the TV on his head. Truly a great performance...the music on the CD holds up. It is a great album and helps clue us all in to the lunacy of our TV-based culture. Grab your "Remote Control" and "Turn Me On"...TV is not king...the TUBES are!

Here are some of the The Tubes best written and performed songs: "Turn Me On," "I Want It All Now," "No Way Out," "Love's A Mystery (I Don't Understand)," and "Telecide." This recording is so uniformly strong from beginning to end that A&M Records included EVERY SONG in order (the entire record, in other words) when they issued the 2-CD Tubes compilation "Goin' Down The Tubes" in Europe several years ago. If you liked the way producer Todd Rundgren commandeered XTC's sometimes-elusive talents on their classic "SKYLARKING," chances are you will enjoy TR's meticulous production and song sequencing here on "REMOTE CONTROL."

Lead singer Fee Waybill never sounded better. Words like "synergy" and "brilliant" are often so overused as to become meaningless, particularly when used in the context of pop music. That aside, "REMOTE CONTROL" as performed by The Tubes and produced by Rundgren is a very special musical statement, one that truly displays synergystic properties. This long-overdue collaberation brought together a very talented band of musicians with a legendary rock producer who was able to effectively harness the band's abundant talents while downplaying their renouned lack of discipline in the studio. What ultimately emerges is a cohesive, thematic album built somewhat loosely around the general theme of television and its impact on society. A secondary theme about the elusive search for love is also tied in effectively throughout. In short, it ALL works.

Much as he did with XTC, The Psychedelic Furs, Meatloaf, Bad Religion and others, Rundgren gives The Tubes and their overall vocal sound and arrangements a significant upgrade. One of Rundgren's strengths as producer has always been an ability to chip in his own significant talents as songwriter, arranger, and vocalist in order to compensate for a particular band/client's most glaring shortcomings. Here he contributed a measure of all three, with an emphasis on songwriting help. He is co-credited as songwriter on 2 of the 11 songs here, and his disciplined influence is abundantly evident throughout. But make no mistake, this is The Tubes - at their very best.

Hopefully, someday soon "REMOTE CONTROL" will be the beneficiary of the kind of remastering treatment embellished upon other classic pop records in recent years. The sound here is good but unspectacular. Regardless, "REMOTE CONTROL" remains a classic pop/rock record.

Unlike the Tubes' uneven earlier and later works, this album, produced by Todd Rundgren, contains song after song of incredible, energetic pop-progressive-rock. Of the songs on this album, "Prime Time" received the most radio air play, but its mellow, bland, mainstream-pop sound is atypical of the other songs on this album, which sizzle with energy, funky rhythms, melody, harmony, and catchy chord changes that are so sadly missing in today's music. The lyrics often convey classic Tubes tongue-in-cheek humor as they ridicule American consumerism and TV. By far the best Tubes album, and one of the best rock & roll albums ever made.

The American Beat Records company should be avoided at all costs. I bought their re-issue of The Tubes Remote Control and I'm warning all others to reconsider this purchase. The sound is terrible. It has no depth, no resonance, no power, it's like someone copied it off the radio in 1979 and then had a digital processor to clean it up. The midrange even fades in and out in the middle of songs.
Is it terrible?
Well, no, but it is poor. It's like something made for a restaurant's background music. My original vinyl sounds so much better, but it is a German pressing that I bought in a record shop in Kaiserslautern back in '83. The German record companies routinely used virgin vinyl and their quality was incredible all the way to end of records. This re-issued disc sounds like one of those 4th generation knock-offs that swamped the American market by MCA and other cheap companies who flooded the market by the early eighties with re-issues pressed on recycled vinyl. They were as tinny and dull as this disc.
This is one of my top 100 albums and to see it get such shoddy treatment is appalling. Evidently this company is banking on the nostalgia market. And with today's inferior audio being all about the thud and womp factor (can it shake my review mirror off it's base?) they're likely to get away with this inferior product.
I'm just broken hearted that such a great album has been reduced to such audio mediocrity.
Why isn't their a reputable company with a solid reputation for audio integrity re-issueing this cult hit?
Todd Rundgren, this was your baby. How can you stand to let this happen?

This is probably the best Tubes album in terms of mixing their quirky funny attitude with catchy commercial-potential songs. Completion Backward Principle that followed was quite a bit more commercial, and while excellent, I prefer Remote Control as my favorite Tubes album. Anyway, this issue on American Beat loses two stars for lousy sound quality (especially since it's purported to be a "remaster", which is hard to believe). I compared it to my old Japanese CD pressing and though the American Beat version has a higher volume level, if you adust for that, the old Japanese issue beats it hands down in terms of clarity. The American Beat version actually sounds harsh, mid-rangey, and distorted at times. Plus there is an annoying stereo separation gimmick for effect in the instrumental intro of the first track that I don't recall on the vinyl and is certainly not on the Jap version. I don't think it works well.

If there was ever an album that I wanted to write a review for It is this one. Although not my favourite Tubes album; "Now" for me is the pinnacle for the Tubes, this comes in at a very very close second, if it's posible to say that. This was the very first Tubes album that I bought and it still graces my cd player at least once a month, sometimes more, not bad after 26 years. There have been many positive reviews of this album, and quite frankly they are all justified.

The album kicks off with three solid songs that glide into each other effortlessly. The opener "Turn me on", electro-rock at its finest, if not a little squeaky clean, but nevertheless, a belter, I love the middle 8 section where the band members take it in turns to show how they layer a song. Particularly noticeable are Mike Cotten's synths chirping and zinging in this section - magic!.

Next "TV is king" (you're my everything) a surprisingly simple solid sounding track, with a great bounce and lyrics that are so poignant. a very strong track.

"Prime Time" - My favourite - some reviewers have glossed over this track, and others given just a cursory mention, however, for me the spring/summer of 1979 is summed up in this track. It's a great bouncing track, simple, but effective, a poppy-synthy-romantic song, and one that a lot of my contemporaries still remember, even if they are not Tubes fans. Yes, "Prime Time" got them noticed in my town.

"I want it all now" - a mixture of styles, even a bit of reggae-come-rock here. The Tubes are just showing off now, they know how to write good solid songs (even if they were helped a bit by Todd Rundgren!). A great melee of styles in one song. If there is a bad track on the album, it would be this one for me, but, when I say bad, it is in context with the others, and this track is in no way "bad!" - just different.

Another strong track now,...."No way out", this one will get you, the middle 8 again delivers some great musical layers culminating in the famous Tubes "Wall of sound" - yet again, the simplicity of sound hides a storehouse of musicianship.

"Getoverture" an instrumental Overture of the album's songs - noticeable segments include turn me on, loves a mystery I don't understand and telecide (see later).

The next track is a bit of a surprise - it is secretly one of the strongest tracks on the album - why do i say that? "No Mercy" is not instantly accessible in the same way as Prime time or Love's a mystery, but it will just grab you after a few listens ad will grow on you. Yet again it has a strong simple beat, which hides a well crafted song - the saxophone (or what sounds like one) solo is jazzy and complements the song perfectly.

Ok, Bill Spooner fans are next. We are given the tour de force with "Only the strong survive". Much has been said about Mr Spooner's gravely voice, which comes to the fore on this track. another strong track...so what, who cares?

"Be mine tonight" - a nice song, with heartfelt lyrics and a chance to hear Vince Welnick's touches on the electric piano - amazing.

Now for a powerhouse of a ballad - the jazzy but soulful "Love's a mystery (I don't understand) - a single in its own right here in the UK. This ballad has surely got to rank amongst the great tearjerkers, and what a solo, too many notes would have killed the song - I am moved every time.

Finally "Telecide" - what a way to end an album - read the other reviews on this one - I couldn't do it enough justice ... I remember when they called this song "the terrorist song!" - aah! those were the days.

Yes, the "Tubes" are in Total Control on this album, despite chaffing at the heavy hand of Todd Rundgren. Buy it! you've heard it so many times before.

5 stars every time.

I've been searching for Remote Control on CD for years, and it was a foreign item that was about $40. This is arguably The Tubes best album, in my opinion, along with The Tubes and The Completion Backwards Principle. The album is clearly produced by Todd Rundgren, and bears his hallmark layered harmonies, tasty hooks and an emphasized Prairie Prince snare drum. It's also got the typical Tubes funny lyrics. My favorite song is I Want It All Now.

This has to be one of my favorite Tubes albums as I am both a Tubes and Todd Rundgren fan. The sound of this reissue, however, is a major disappointment. I remember the clear crisp sound of my vinyl copy and this CD does not come close to it. My vinyl copy was misplaced long ago so I was very happy when this reissue surfaced. This CD sounds like it may have been remastered from a cassette tape of the album. The Tubes trademark synthesizers have no sizzle at all. All of the snap and punch of the drums and percussion were absent. When I first opened the CD I thought it was a bit odd that there was no mention of the person or studio that remastered this disk. After my first listen, I realize why.

I will readily admit that while I own a few Tubes albums, I am not of the Tubular elite. I can't quote every lyric or recall the great concerts I attended (I went to see Cheap Trick instead) or debate about which label treated them best. However, in my estimation, this was one of their three best albums (competing with "Love Bomb" and "Completion Backwards Principle") and arguably the cream of the crop.

Of course, when I had this on endless replay back in the day, I was only 14. I mean, this was 1979, and this actually came out originally on--gasp!--a vinyl LP. Wait--come back! Just because it's old doesn't mean it can't be good. I just wanted to note that I was less wise and probably more inclined to nod sagely at the totally boss lyrics and their deep profundity.

Still, I believe it's held up well. "Getoverture" is a great rock instrumental, and outside of heavy metal concept albums, these are rarely done these days. "Turn Me On" and "Prime Time" are slick and catchy numbers with nifty turns of phrase (and the latter features female vox from sometime Tubes collaborator Re Styles). "No Mercy" has a nice hard kick. And the ballad "Love's A Mystery" is surprisingly touching (the Tubes myseriously excelled at off-handed laments of longing and hopeless desire).

Famous producer and musician Todd Rundgren gets credit for polishing some of the more anarchic edges of the Tubes and tightening them up a bit without pushing them overboard into commerical blandness. And the band really brings it all together, covering a fair range of sounds over just eleven songs. It's kind of satirical prog with the mandatory synths, punctured with punk sensibilities, burnished by Rundgren's superb production values, and hammered along by urgent vocals.

One of the all-time best cover photos, too.

For those who enjoy great rock n' roll coupled with interesting and observational lyrics this album is an excellent choice. The ideas are interesting, well observed and executed in a 5 star delivery. This is in short supply these days, with so much meaningfree lyrics and way too familiar frasings."Remote Control" is for people who not only enjoy the act of thinking but can also smile at the quirky idiosyncracsies of an important part of American living.