Customer Reviews

Rock Star God

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

 

 

Here's an admittedly bold statement: "Rock Star God" is the best rock album of 2000, and I am simply stunned that it didn't make this band huge, or at least make them a bigger underground presence.

Ignore the spurned fans who complain that their old stuff was better: it wasn't. Their old stuff is fun, yes, in a punky, three chords, scream-yourself-hoarse-for-120-seconds kind of way, but this is their finest hour (literally - it's a long album, and I might have cut one song, but who's complaining? A generation ago this would have been considered a double album, and a FINE one).

Michael's lyrics are brilliantly fun and often hilarious. "Better Way Down" is the greatest anti-suicide dirge ever; rather than sounding eminently make-fun-of-able by whining "don't kill yourselves," they simply point out how trite, cliched, and lame suicide is ("just remember/ try to look good/ have fun with it/ it's the last cool thing you'll ever do"). "Looking For A Supergirl" is about every man's quest to fall in love with, yes, an actual female superhero (the song is wonderfully filled with comic book references, as Michael yearns to give her "my human torch"), and as for the deliciously hair-bandish "Sex Is Good Food," the name says it all. But just because the songs are sometimes funny doesn't mean this is a gimmick album; these guys are direly serious about what they do, which is: rock, and hard, and well, and thank God for it.

Also, this is one of the rare 4-man rock albums that is able to throw in occasional organs, strings, bongos, electric pianos, and female backing singers in ways that actually make the songs better, rather than smaltzy or cluttered.

This is a fun, smart, soulful, badly needed album. It would be a shame if this one just fades into obscurity - these boys deserve a big, fat, loudly miked podium from which to announce themselves to the entire world. I just heard that their next album is due out in spring 2002. Bring it on.

If you love rock 'n roll the way it was in the late sixties and early seventies, you will love this CD! This is not Garage Rock, it is glam rock at it's finest! "Rock Star God" shows The Makers definitely have the ability to nail a fairly broad range of moods with their music - all the while keeping it in the correct context -hat context is the late sixties and early seventies.

"Give Me Back Yesterday" reminds me of songs like The Stone's "Ruby Tuesday." Don't be surprised if your eyes start to tear-up on this one. "Metro" lays down a guitar groove that is five feet wide and ten feet deep. Also note the very tasteful use of cello, bongos, and keyboards throughout the ablum - very cool.

In a time when too many bands are boring us with their political views or telling us how bad life is and that they want to kill themselves, it's refreshing to listen to something as energy packed and fun as "Rock Star God." Wasn't Rock n Roll supposed to be fun anyway?

If you like late sixties Stones, The Who, The Byrds or The Kinks, you'll love this album.

To The Makers: I salute you and thanks!

The Makers rock. Don't believe all the "self-indulgent" review crap you read about these guys - they are the best band out there, and have been for years. Anyone who seriously listens to them can see how this is the REAL Makers. This album shows the true song-writing and musical talent that each member has. I own plenty of albums, and this ranks up with the "classics".

Finally, after years of regurgitating Eddie Vedder (yawn) sound-alike tripe, Seattle offers up real rock-n-roll. Call it glam, call it punk, call it late 60's psychedelic, WHAT EVER! This is the genuine article. They have the guts to roll out a bump and grind rhythm in Metro and have the brains to explore other musical instruments through the album. The irony in Better Way Down is sharp while Give me Back Yesterday is an honest ballad.

These guys are the heirs to the throne of the Ramones.

Long Live Rock-n-Roll!!

gotta say that this record is fantastic. think new york dolls meets "she's a rainbow" era stones with a little late 80's glam rock (bang tango/faster pussycat) thrown in and you've got a pretty good idea. 16 songs and not a filler to be found. from the brutal "better way down" to the touching "texture of a girl" - this record has got it all...

I bought this on a whim. What a find! It rocks in a way that most releases today just can't (or won't). Great ballads, heavy rifts, gritty driving songs, it is all here. If you thought glam rock was dead you must hear this disc. There is a theme here but is is not so overwhelming that you can't pull out a song or two and put it on a mix tape for your friends. And that is exactly what you should do! Get some people hooked on this disc. Do yourself a favor and discover some really cool modern glam rock.

I'm a long time fan of this band and the first time I heard this album, I was completely bewildered. With the exception of "Too Many F**kers On The Street" - which really rocks - this album is just SAD. The other reviews seem to keep saying that the band has grown as songwriters, but it sounds like they've been castrated as songwriters. I've seen this band live many times and they perform high octane, tight, fast and fun garage rock like nobody else. While I can understand a band wanting to spread their wings and try something new, this one is a giant miss. If you want a good Makers album, stick with Howl, All Night Riot, Hunger, or their self-titled one with the giant middle finger on the cover. Avoid this one at all costs!!

OK- I've got to admit going in- I know one of these guys, so I can claim a little bias. BUT, although I have totally enjoyed the Makers previous releases, this one is like going from 'With the Beatles' to 'Sgt. Pepper' in one fell swoop. The songs are excellent, the lyrics are Mike's best ever, and the production is PHAT and interesting. Jamie finally cuts loose in the way we all knew he eventually could/would and the result is the most adventurous piece of rock in a long, long time. Power pop has gotten a little dull, teen pop is the same as it never was, and the Limp bizkit schema was fun for about ten seconds. This is a great reminder of the sleazy, star-struck, glamorous and heartfelt way rock and roll ought to be. Thanks Makers!

Anyone who can compare this to good glam rock or the Stones must not have listened to that great music very carefully. From its overdone beginning songs, to the self-indulgent suicide ballad, to the lyrically trite "Texture of A Girl," the album's few interesting/fun moments are ruined by it's sad attempts at depth. My message: stick to real glam rock, not this sad, shallow imitation.

Boring record - their earlier stuff is better but this is awful.