Customer Reviews

Some Other Sucker's Parade

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Del Amitri's fifth studio album really deserves another listen. And then several others. 'Some Other Sucker's Parade' is not as immediately catchy as 'Twisted' or the unsurpassed 'Change Everything' but patience (this is one of those albums that gets better with repeated listenings) will reveal an album full of poetic lyrics (Justin Currie is one the greatest songwriters of the last 20 years--his songs truly read like poetry) and great instrumentation. The intertwining of guitar and piano is done better on this album than any I have heard and there's not a bad song in the batch. While not particularly uplifting, the songs will make you think and listen in wonder at the poetry of it all--and make you wish these guys would put albums out much more frequently. Del Amitri certainly aren't the most prolific of bands, but the albums they do put out are amongst the most well-written and performed available. If you dig any of there other albums, you will love this one--and track down as many b-sides as you can find; this is one band whose b-sides (and there are many more in addition to those collected on the 'Lousy in Love' cd) are as good as their a-sides (and that is very very good). Very Highly Recommended.

Some Other Sucker's Parade is a resounding YES after the somewhat disappointing (but always interesting) "Twisted". This album calls forth all the great things that Del offered in the 1st two brilliant albums, and then expounds upon them: Currie's bloody great voice. Uncanny song writing. A smoothness that's usually only found in drinks with paper umbrellas in them. Brilliant stuff. Highlights: Oh, hell ... the whole 1st side.

Del Amitri's CD "Some Other Sucker's Parade" doesn'tget the push it deserves after their hit with "Roll to Me"off the "Twisted" CD. I feel like I'm gettig old but I'm only 32 damn it and I don't wanna have to search for these guys on adult contemporary radio. Del Amitri rocks! Granted their lyrics would go largely unappreciated on some of these moronic rock stations but come on. Band's like "Matchbox 20" and "3rd Eye Blind" really stink in comparison with these guys. It annoys me to see Del passed over for these trendy B.S. bands. They get all the air-play in what should be Del Amitri's place. These guys are an original great bluesy rock'n'roll band. They still sound hard edged yet smooth and very warm with an impeccable feel for catchiness (if that's a word) on this CD. I wish I could say something other than the obvious... Del Amitri is probably the best band, lyrically, vocally and musically, with the best all around songs, for their type of music (timeless).

OK. I will be the first to say that I am not a true Del Amitri "fan", I have never listen to Twisted (except the song "Roll to Me") and I have not been following them since the early 80's when they started. Having said all that, I have to tell you that this is one of the best albums I've ever heard. The first time I heard anything off this album was on a Launch CD (when they used to be a CD music magazine). I heard three sample tracks from this album. That same day, I went to a record store and they had it in one of those "listen before you buy" set-ups. So, I listened to 1 minute of every song. And every song I came to seemed better than the previous one. Needless to say, I bought it right then and there.

I have worn this CD out many times. And, when I have accidentally lost it myself or from letting someone borrow it, I ALWAYS replace it...even though it is out-of-print. It is that good. I would consider this a good starting point for anyone wanting to get into Del Amitri. Then listen to Twisted...

In a time when everyone seems to be searching madly for the next big trend in popular music, Del Amitri continues to perfect their pop/rock formula with "Some Other Sucker's Parade". This is a perfect rock album from beginning to end. Any music fan should do themselves a great favor and pick this one up. This album does what every new artist (The Wallflowers, Matchbox 20...) keeps trying to do... it reaches pop perfection.

del amitri, some other's suckers parade great title by the way boys...these guys surely did know how to write catchy melodies and lyrics which will swim round your head for weeks and i think this album bombed when it was released which is a damn shame because it's a beautiful well produced masterpiece
features my favorites
"not where it's at! title track "what i think she sees"
"medicine" "lucky guy"
a \classic album after purchasing this buy "twisted" another one of them classics you hear about

I have to say that this is my favorite Dels record even though there's a lack of Justin and Iain's trademark acoustic guitar. It gets kind of a bad rap from old Del Amitri fans that's not justified as I think that it's really a solid rock album. Or even the best "power-pop" album ever made! On this record, Justin really refined his incredible talent for writing astounding lyrics of the darker sides of life (the booze, the rain...) and romance and wrapping them in the most gorgeous melodies this side of Lennon and McCartney. I just think that A&M was giving up on them by this point and it's interesting to note that when I saw them at the Fillmore promoting this album, Justin introduced "Not Where It's At" as their new single that the label had just pulled off promoting. Nice thing for the label to do to the band in the middle of a tour, but GREAT song. They were one of the best bands to see at this point with new addition Kris Dollimore, clearly outshining the other touted UK bands that all the music mags covered at the time. What got to me is how road worthy this group of Scottish guys in their early 30s had sounded like they had been playing for years and years. They ROCKED!Anyway, personally I would highly recommend it as I would their whole catalogue.

Waking Hours and Change Everything are two of my favorite albums. Twisted has one of my all-time favorite songs (Driving with the Brakes on). I admittedly had very high hopes for this album, which might explain my disappointment. Del Amitri's real strength lies is lyrics and music that illustrate the darker side of relationships. This album is just too happy. Bring back the misery.

The CD pictured above is not the studio release,but rather the title track from the album{minus string arrangements}followed by three tracks recorded live at Leeds{yes,just like The Who}from the 1997 tour with the new 2nd guitarist Chris.This is the same lineup that appears at the end of the Hatful of rain collection in the concert live from Aberdeen.Unless they re-released the studio album with a different cover photo,this one has live takes on Roll to me,Here and now,and Hatful of rain.I have two others in the same format with different live tracks,as well as different cover photos.The first one is SOSP{live}followed by Always the last to know,and Stone cold sober.The second is Driving with the brakes on,followed by Move away Jimmy Blue,and The ones you love lead you nowhere.Don't know if these are available here,but I have them.

Ian Harvie and Justin Currie consistently released albums filled with nearly flawless music during the 1990's. Good luck finding any ties to trends or popular notions... their catalog is deep, wide and very worth pursuing. When SOSP was initially released, it disappointed me. Now, upon hearing it with fresher, hopefully wiser ears... I hear exactly what Currie and Harvie were going for. Another complete album filled with well crafted songs.

Highly recommended if you have liked even one song by artists like, let's say..... Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers or the Beatles.