Customer Reviews

Stoneage Romeos

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For those of you unfamiliar with the music, Australia's Hoodoo Gurus were American pop culture obsessed power poppers with a garage rock side (or vice versa, depending on your perspective, I guess). They put out a lot of great albums, but this one, their first, is probably the best, with the other main contender being the follow-up, 'Mars needs guitars.' "I want you back" is as good a power-pop song as was released by anyone in the 80's, and most of the songs are first rate, from the melancholy "My girl," to the Cramps-ish "Dig it up," and the evocative "Zanzibar." This re-issue comes with two bonus tracks not on the original l.p.-- a rambunctious cover of "Who do you love," and an original, "Be my Guru," which borders on hardcore punk. Dave Faulkner was one of the strongest male vocalists that emerged in the 80's. Recommended for a cool rock 'n' roll collection.

I can believe it's been 25 years since this album came out. I was the manager of a college radio station in Bridgewater MA at Bridgewater State College. WBIM. We were known for playing every genre and mixing it all up like a blender. Alt-rock was all new to me. I had to play the part of actually liking this stuff. The Hoodoo Gurus allowed me to retain my classic rock roots, while at the same time being okay with some of the strange stuff that eventually would go mainstream in the 90's. This album is a dark collection of mildly pop-psychedelic garage rock tunes that contain enough fun and sarcasm to make any college kid cut class. We killed "I Want You Back". It topped the college radio "charts" and likely gave the folks at A&M some unexpected revenue. The band eventually was asked to tone down most of their garage tendencies in favor of a more polished pop-rock sound. Other amazing tracks include "My Girl", "Kamikaze Pilot", "Dig It Up", "Leilani" and pretty much everything. We played the whole damn thing. This will bring you back to a class you skipped or how radical you once were. Superb music for a time gone by.

Anyone that grew up surfing in the early 80's will remember the surf movie "Beyond Blazing Boards" and the sounds that went with it. Outside of the song "Wild Child" by The Untouchables this is the movie sound track. I Was A Kamikaze Pilot, was the wipeout segment song and to this day every time I hear it I can see the movie in my head --- OH THE PAIN!

All in all if your like myself and many of my friends that watched this movie every time the surf was flat it will bring back memories just hearing it.

This CD will make you want to get in the water big time.

Enjoy.

I admit I am turning into one of these older guys who get completey obnoxious when they start simmering about the past....however when it comes to guitar rock, catchy tunes and great lyrics these guys from down under still do it for me1

The Gurus' pound out these songs with booming, tribal-like drums, walls of acoustic guitar chords, massive, anthemic choruses, and Dave Faulkner's strong lead vocals. Underneath this mountain of sound lie the band's catchy tunes, the best of which, "I Want You Back", has enough hooks for a meat locker.

Strongly recommended.

I was turned on to this collection upon hearing "I Want You Back" in the late 80's. Being a sucker for 60's throw back tunes, I was intrigued and bought this collection on cassette soon after its release. I was also fortunate enough to catch their associated tour with a show at The Palace in Hollywood. Blew me away!! Every tune on this collection kicks (from rockers such as "Death Ship" to ballads such as "Zanzibar"). The tight rythyms and imaginitive lyrics make this album a classic. I would also add that I was disappointed by this group's subsequent releases. If you can get your hands on this one, buy it!!!

This is one of my all time favourite albums!!! Leilani, Kamikaze Pilot, In The Echo Chamber, Tojo, I Want You Back, Arthur, Let's All Turn On.... every song on this album is a legend. Great fun rock 'n' roll. Everybody NEEDS to have Stoneage Romeos.

The Hoodoo's first album remains the essence of power pop. Great melodies and harmonies, excellent guitar work, alternating between muscular and tender, and yes, funny. A perfect album.

Simple songs that instantly make your head nod to the beat. A great band that has been overlooked by the American audiance. This is the first of a string of rockin cds that will not dissappoint anyone who enjoys the groove.

If you've ever wondered about all the music produced in Australia that you poor unfortunate people in other countries never get to hear, well this is a great place to start. As a debut album it was one of the best ever. Not a single dud track, and some of the most brilliant and inspired rock'n'roll you'd ever wish to hear. The band went on to have a long and distinguished career with a string of very succesful songs and albums, but they could never match their first effort. If they were Orson Wells, this was their "Citizen Kane". I bought it when it first came out in the early '80s and loved it then ... I think the greatest compliment I can pay to this record is that I still listen to it regularly in 2000 and have never got sick of a single track. My stand-outs: Leilani, Dig it Up, Arthur, I want you back (what a pop tune), I was a Kamikaze Pilot and the often ignored Zanzibar. If you're ever going to buy a record on the strength of a review from someone you've never heard of, make it this one! Enjoy.