Customer Reviews

Savvy Show Stoppers

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If you ever watched the old Kids in the Hall show, the theme song was written by these guys. It's on this album known as "Having an Average Weekend". Savvy Show Stoppers is a great collection of surf guitar instrumentals all in the spirit of "Having an Average Weekend.

Orginal rhythms permeate the album, but there isn't a lot variation on the songs. They're all about the same pace. Think of this as a surf guitar jam album. It's just the band jamming away on slightly different rhythms. Somehow it doesn't detract from the album's appeal though.

I'd been putting off buying this album (a compilation of Canadian releases by the Men in the mid-to-late '80s) for a good long while when, in February 2000, I learned of the death of bassist Reid Diamond. I snapped it up without further hesitation. This disc is a more-than-worthwhile cross-section of the work it represents; anybody familiar with the Kids in the Hall will, naturally, recognise "Having an Average Weekend" as the best TV theme this side of, well, "Theme from TV" (track 3), and, (not that anyone deliberately seeking it out would know where to look,) new recruits might recognise "Zombie Compromise" from the recent barrage of goofy Taco Bell commercials. Also notable are the breezy cover of "Misty" and the track a friend of mine includes on every mix tape, "You Spin Me Round '86." The rest of the tracks, without exception, are distinct and driven. A good investment, and still a breath of fresh air 12 years after its release.

If one were to take the absolute best ideas and styles of Dick Dale, Link Wray and The Ventures...add in a splash of The B-52's, Chuck Berry and The Ramones, then they would come up with the amazing sound of Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet. This album just blows me away with it's amazing style, wit, and unbelievable consistancy. There's not a single bad apple in the whole bunch. The way every song title brilliantly matches the sound and atmosphere of the music is positively stunning. (not to mention fun) This group released three wonderful albums of this caliber, but I prefer their debut slightly over the other two. This CD is not just for "surf music" fans, it is an album for anyone who simply enjoys the fun and joy of music. This album is the perfect cure for anyone who is having a bad day, and I highly recommend it to true music lovers in general. Any one of these instrumental songs speaks more words than a 1000 page novel.

I love this band, I thought Dim THe Lights was better. If your looking for The Kids In The Hall theme (Average Weekend), its here.

A lot of people want this CD only for the track featured on Kids In The Hall, but this CD is very good regardless. They are one of the masters of surf rock along with The Tornadoes (check them out, too.)

Excellente!!!! Canadian weirdo surf that uses spring reverb...what more could you want!

Few bands in the big surf rock revival of the 90's managed to sound as fresh and original as Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet. "Savvy Show Stoppers" features their classic "Having an Average Weekend," which was used for the theme music to "Kids in the Hall," a popular Canadian comedy show. Fans of KITH will recognize much of the music here. Come to think of it, fans of the show probably already know this. Newcomers will also find much to enjoy, as all of these quirky instrumentals are upbeat and easily accessible.

This album is a roundup of early singles by the Toronto band. Every one is different, and they're all great, especially "Shake Some Evil" and "Having an Average Weekend". Surprised Quentin Taratino hasn't used any of these in his movies, because they share the same sensibilities. Fantastic record; their other two albums are great as well.

One of the reasons I loved that show ( kids in the hall ) was the fact that I loved the show's theme song. It reminded me that there is such a
beautiful genre as that early instrumental, elegant , impressionist and raunchy rock 'n' roll that sometimes people associate maybe erroneously with surfing.
The fact is that this music navigates a lot better and faster on the pavement with wheels and gasoline. IF we go back to the late fifties and early
sixties to find the best examples of this type of music, the fact is that we may have to go back closer to the present to find it, because nobody
plays it better than this awesome trio. We owe Canada this one.

stay for the rest. This disc is worth the price for "Having an Average Weekend" (better known as the theme music for "Kids in the Hall"), but the rest of this compilation of early singles is hit after quirky hit of original, raw instrumentals. If you enjoy the musical breaks between sketches on "Kids in the Hall," you will enjoy this...a lot.