Customer Reviews

Take it to The Spotlight

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

 

 

No purer a distillation of what was great about Mr. Marc Moreland. Sure WALL OF VOODOO was amazing, as was his colaboration with Johnette Napolitano as PRETTY & TWISTED, not to mention his last group DEPARTMENT OF CROOKS. And what of his burning moment 20-something years ago in THE SKULLS! But, this one takes the f*ckin' cake. I listen to it most days on my IPod on the bus heading to my crappy job, and his deadpan humor/heartache helps me find the energy to stomach my idoit boss one more day. Yeah, I too wish he was still with us.

This is the best work Marc has done in my opinion and I have everything he has done. It is so sad that he never got to hear the finished product himself before leaving us. Your music will forever be our gift from you Marc and we thank you and will miss you beyond expression.

There're some great guitar hooks on this record but Marc's not a great singer in the performance sense. He's got kind of a wooden, Lou Reed-circa 1990 sound, coming across as unsure of his voice, like there's been no live performances or tours to help round out his delivery and the songs themselves, which sound studio-built, or like 4-track experiements.
Betty Davis Eyes cover doesn't add much though starts out promising.
Still, there's a low-fi heart to this that's more riveting and sincere than anything Stan Ridgeway's done in 10 years.

His stylistic skill and vision grows on me more every time I hear him in WoV, Department of Crooks, Concrete Blonde, and here. I rate MM my highest honors for his originality, tenacity in the face of wretched reality, and a hat's off for making me feel close wherever he is. This one does touch the "candle is almost out" feeling in retrospect, but like Jim Morrison, his was a pure and unique talent and I appreciate him so very much for this effort as all his too-few others. My best to you Marc!

I bought this because I have all WOV albums and the Department of Crooks album, which I love! This album is a little different from Marc's other projects. This album has kind of a Joy Division/Iggy Pop sound. Yes, Marc's vocals are not as great as say Andy Prieboy's, but I can live with it. If you are a fan of Marc Moreland, you really have to own it.

Marc Moreland was one of the best country/western artists of late 20th century, but remained relatively unknown, with the exception of the brief success of "Mexican Radio," with his band Wall of Voodoo. It's a shame that Mexican Radio is what most people will remember Marc Moreland for, because as this album proves, there was much more to him than the forementioned one hit wonder song would suggest.

Marc's long-awaited album is a wonderful dose of 'on the
edge' rock'n'roll. As individual and free from the deadening
hand of the corporate music industry machine as ever. Just check out the anger and frustration bursting out of the incredible All Jacked Up for a start. If you've ever loved anything by Wall of Voodoo purchase this album immediately and make sure you track down the equally wonderful Department of Crooks CD.

Marc Moreland was the primary musical genius behind Wall of Voodoo. Unfortunately, that genius is heard only here or there on this disc. Listen to Wall of Voodoo's self titled EP, Call of the West, Dark Continent, Seven Days in Sammmy's Town or the Department of Crooks album for a much better listening experience. Like Robin Trower, Steve Hackett, and Steve Howe before him, Marc should never have sung on his own album. Secondly, the songs aren't that good either. You don't have to be a great singer to perform rock, but should be adequate at least. Bringing in a singer or recording an album of instrumentals would have made a much better recording.