Speed Ballads [IMPORT]

Republica

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 28, 2002)
• Original Release Date: November 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Msi Music/Super D
• ASIN: B0000245Y4
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #169,160 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The hit poppy British alternative rock trio's second album, not being released in the U.S. until 1999! 10 tracks,including the single 'From Rush Hour With Love'. A 1998 Deconstruction release. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you AMAZON!!, December 17, 2000

By	RXCSLC (TX USA) - See all my reviews

I'd like to thank Amazon for bringing this CD to the US as an affordable import item. It boggles my mind that this CD was never released in the US. I was always disappointed that I couldn't snag the actual CD for a decent price. Now Amazon has hooked me up, and I couldn't be happier!

If you dug the first Republica CD, you will get into this one as well. Granted, on the first listen you will still have the baggage from the first CD and your snap reaction will be that 'Speed Ballads' isn't quite as good. *NOT* so. Repeat spins reveal that every song is absolutely infectious. 'Fading of the Man', 'From Rush Hour', 'Luxury Cage' - I love *every* song on this CD.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best band you've never heard..., December 23, 2001

By	Lindsey Anderson (Canada) - See all my reviews

Ok, can anyone name another Republica song that isn't "Ready To Go"? Didn't think so and it's a damn shame. Therefore I DEMAND you pick up this album and play it religiously because it's just THAT GOOD. lead singer Saffron's voice bends and twists every word in every song. The music is electric, pulsating, and lots of guitar happy fun. The lyrics are stellar. STELLAR! Honestly, it baffles my mind that no one on this side of the pond really caught on to them. Songs to spin are "Try Everything", a suprisingly well done ballad, "Pretty Girl Hate" about petty jealousy, "From Rush Hour With Love" and "Faster, Faster" about te urges to slow down... Seriously, this is one of the best cd's by one of the best bands you've never heard. Pick it up along with their debut self titles disc and get enlightened.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite as good as their first, but still a killer album, February 16, 2003

By	Stephen Kohoutek (Plymouth, MN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

You can't really say that Republica is the best band you've never heard, because "Ready To Go" is one of those songs that everyone knows but can't name the performer. Rather, Republica is possibly the best band that the American mainstream flirted with but backed away from.

Their first album was wall-to-wall bombast, sort of a cross between Back to the Heavyweight and Blondie. This one slows down the tempo and slightly de-technofies the sound, but keeps every bit of crunchy huge-ness from the debut. At first blush, it doesn't even sound like the same band; their rock leanings come through more clearly than before. This isn't necessarily a good or bad thing. It kind of sounds like Garbage turned up to eleven like the Spinal Tap amps.

Saffron's lyrics are interesting if not particularly insightful. A strong theme in her songs is the middle class-dweller who wants to be more, the desk worker who hits the club on the weekend and pretends to be a heavy hitter. Her singing isn't going to win any Grammys, but the emotion and power she puts into her voice captivates.

The drums and guitar work are stellar; play this on as good a stereo as you can find. This'll be in heavy rotation in my car once the upper midwest winter is vanquished and my sunroof and windows open.