Customer Reviews

Riviera

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

 

 

I've been following these guys since '93. I have every one of their albums, I'm that loyal. But I need to do something for the masses on this one, it is SO damned good. Do you want raw Telecaster guitar riffs? A voice that ranges from raspy blues to honeysweet folk? Lyrics driven by melody? And most importantly, an absolutely genius hook on almost every song? Todd writes, sings, and plays together as a package as good as anyone out there. His songs are pure energy, pure life, inspiration. This one will have you feeling good about everything, and especially the gift that is BHTM. Thanks guys.

I started my voyage to Big Head Todd and the Monster becoming my favorite band in 1993. Their album Sister Sweetly gave a new definition to the term rock and roll in midst of the grunge and alternative movement. The sounds of the "Sister Sweetly" their follow up album "Strategem" and now "Riviera" are all a soundtrack for real life. The raw emotion and power of their music will move you, and most likely inspire you to make the most out of living. The album "Midnight Radio" will probably always be my favorite album, but now with the release of "Riviera" I will have to give that some serious thought.

So now that I have rambled on about my feelings toward the band I will give you my review. The new album from BHTM has everything that you expect form this band. The incredible guitar, and vocal work of Todd Park Mohr, and the strong flawless back up of Brian Nevin and Rob Sqires on the drums, bass, and backup vocals. As with all BHTM albums, this one too has a different sound but would fall into the Sister Sweetly and Strategem category. This album rocks from the beginning to the end. And although it was a VERY LONG 4 1/2 year wait for the release of this studio album it was definitely worth it.

And to the guys from BHTM... Thank you for your music and all that it means to me.

Big Head Todd are Back! I thought Beautiful World was an o.k album. However, I like the earlier works much better. Another Mayberry is one of my favorite Todd albums. This album reminds me of the earlier stuff. No dissing to Hazel, but gone are the Back-up vocals, and the keyboards- Gone! Straight up Guitar, Bass, and Drums- kickin' Ass! Todd's vocals and lyrics are solid. I love the first song Julianna. The whole album is brilliant. If you like Big Head Todd and the Monsters, especially the earlier works, you will love this album. If you like straight up, good groovin' rock & roll, you will love this album.
I can't wait for them to come back to the bay area, I hope they play the fillmore again- I've seen them there twice.

I bought it used (for about $4) because I was in the mood to try something new and I've always liked Sister Sweetly. I was a little amprehensive at first because I've heard only average things about their work after Sister... I'm happy to report that I was very pleasantly surprised by this CD. There are several stand out tracks on the disc and still more that are very strong. This disc stands against Sister Sweetly song for song and if you are new to BHTM you would be happy starting off with either CD.

Big Head Todd and the Monsters are back with a vengeance on their new release, Riviera. This marks the first release buy the Monsters since Beautiful World's 97' release.
Lets first talk about whats bad about this album...NOTHING! This thing rocks straight out of the gate. The bluesy, soulful vocals and guitar playing by Mohr our out of this world. We cant forget also about the great rhythm section behind Mohr, they never seem to get much attention.
Every track is great, each with its own identity, from the hard driving Freedom Fighter, to the bluesy Gary Indiana Blues.
Get this album, and see for yourself! Get out and seem them live, and you'll be amazed!!

It really is a ten star record - & after the long lay-off to fine-tune (hoped) & get back to the raw basics (hoped), I had a real good feeling this one was gonna be special. Midnight Radio & Another Mayberry are clunky but real intimate. Sister Sweetly - an ultra-groovy cult classic. Strategem (my favorite) - led by Neckbreaker, a way-underrated piece of magic. Then there was Beautiful World... hmmm. In my ears, a let down. Tried to get a little too fancy. Hazel was great for a song or 2 live, but was out of place here. It seemed like needless tinkering to reach out to a new audience.
Almost "adult-contemporary" rock. Yikes.

Riviera is classic Big Head Todd. The songs are beautifully written, his voice is as bluesy & striking as ever... & the guitar is back! (It was lost in the mix on Beautiful World.) This guy can really really play (GO SEE A SHOW). Not to be outdone, it seems Brian & Rob flow in a way that hasn't been evident in years.

Juliana & Wishing Well are instant classics, but I swear there isn't a flaw throughout Riviera. To the neophytes & on-the-fencers - please do yourself a favor & buy this record! To the die-hards - this is the one we've been waiting for!!!

I'VE BEEN INTO THIS BAND SINCE "SISTER SWEETLY" , THOUGH THAT STILL MAY BE THEIR BEST ALBUM, IN MY OPION THERES NOW 2 THAT ARE SO CLOSE AND THIS ONE OF THEM! (BEAUTIFUL WORLD, THE OTHER)
WHILE STILL HAVING THEIR OWN SOUND AND TAKING CHANGES , THEY STILL MAKE GREAT "SONGS" - CHECK OUT THIS ALBUM!
"JULIANNA" , "RUNAWAY TRAIN", AND "WISHING WELL" REALY JUMP OUT OF THE SPEAKERS- NOW WE JUST NEED FM RADIO TO NOTICE.
PLAY THEIR MUSIC IN ANY TIME PERIOD AND IT SOUNDS AS GOOD IF NOT BETTER THAN MOST OF WHATS BEING PLAYED THEN.
THEY ARE ONE BAND THAT CAN LET YOU GO THROUGH DIFFERENT SOUNDS AND DIFFERENT MOODS ALL IN ONE ALBUM-THATS A BEAUTIFUL THING!

I received this disk a few days ago and haven't taken out of my cd player. I'd say this disk is similar to "Beautiful World" in that some tracks are sort of smooth bluesey. It's excellent.

Hard to beat Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Great live shows, big sound for a trio. New album hits all the right notes. If you like Dave Matthews, Los Lobos, Indigenous, Little Feat, and those types, check out Big Head Todd. You can't miss with any of their albums. Todd Park Mohr is an underrated guitarist, and has a great range of voice. Buy it!

It really is a ten star record - & after the long lay-off to fine-tune (hoped) & get back to the raw basics (hoped), I had a real good feeling this one was gonna be special. Midnight Radio & Another Mayberry are clunky but real intimate. Sister Sweetly - an ultra-groovy cult classic. Strategem (my favorite) - led by Neckbreaker, a way-underrated piece of magic. Then there was Beautiful World... hmmm. In my ears, a let down. Tried to get a little too fancy. Hazel was great for a song or 2 live, but was out of place here. It seemed like needless tinkering to reach out to a new audience. Almost "adult-contemporary" rock. Yikes.

Riviera is classic Big Head Todd. The songs are beautifully written, his voice is as bluesy & striking as ever... & the guitar is back! (It was lost in the mix on Beautiful World.) This guy can really really play (GO SEE A SHOW). Not to be outdone, it seems Brian & Rob flow in a way that hasn't been evident in years.

Juliana & Wishing Well are instant classics, but I swear there isn't a flaw throughout Riviera. To the neophytes & on-the-fencers - please do yourself a favor & buy this record! To the die-hards - this is the one we've been waiting for!!!