Customer Reviews

Tepid Peppermint Wonderland: Retrospective

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With all the acclaim surrounding Dig!, BJM needed this retrospective to seduce the new fans every day that did not know where to start. I own all of the records and yet, I still find throwing this one collective in gives me an indication of what Anton has been especially proud of over the years. Afterall, no real radio play, no real videos (thank god) and no good reason to why it took so long to boost up his fan base. What is not included on TPW is any track from Strung Out In Heaven - a great album, but on TVT. The liner notes are fun and informative regarding each track. Hell, there are even pictures of the Warhols as they still are part of the history. Musically, you get it all: the influences, the instruments, and the line-up changes...the songs are not in order, but the greatest thing to me is you would never know what was released ten years ago or today - NOT because the music is all the same, but because most of it is timeless.

I first heard the BJM in songs that appeared on their early 90s album "Methodrone," and many of "Tepid's" best moments hearken back to this hazy/shoegazing/fuzzy/obsessive phase. "Feel So Good" (not a cover) is a later example of this Spaceman 3-type aura that the BJM capture well. Hearing these heftier, ascending, revolving tracks within the larger BJM shuffle (no chronological order here, which is refreshing; the anthology is well-sequenced), much of their later work sounds rather scrawny. Now, this skeletal tone, reminding me of 1971 Stones, works well, but feels like it's from a different band. Given the replacement of lineups that rivals Mark E. Smith's domination over The Fall, this may be true. But this lack of consistency makes for a rather undernourished faux-psychedelic/pale-bluesy/vaguely country-ish shamble that backs most of the 38 tunes here. Disc Two does sound better than Disc One, by the way.

I have all of the BJM's albums, but ranked next to, say, the first three Dandy Warhols' attempts to cover the same musical terrain and capture its woozy buzz, the less prolific if slicker Portlanders trump the diffused and wearier Angelenos, sorry to say. Newcombe too frequently lacks the ability to project a forceful, consistent persona as the frontman. He is capable of impressive imitation: not only Stones but (disc 2, track 5) the Beatles and elsewhere a Sunset Strip-a-go-go groove. His Byrds "homage" falls flat, however. The line between flattery and parrotting seems blurred here. Are drugs to blame? Newcombe's evident gifts seem too tawdrily or lazily wrapped up on many of Disc One's songs, tossed off rather than polished. Such spontaneity is prized in some genres, but on disc, under scrutiny, the songs often appear too wobbly. Live, naturally, they may gain backbone; the "live cuts" here are only three "live in studio for the radio" versions that I wish were replaced by concert tapes: none of these on "Tepid," alas. The closing song, "Sue," is a exception to many of the studio cuts: it takes time to build up and kick in, while too many other songs here end far too soon, limply.

The production often shortchanges the backing instrumentation(sometimes non-existent--true, many times lacking enough bass), undercuts the rhythm section, and although the trebly, tinny feel of many of the tunes (with those from "Methodrone" a perceptible exception) fits with the actual limitations of the late 60s/early 70s transistor era, in our digital age, on CD, the overall impact sags. Even scrawnier than even Mick Jagger or any other junkie thin white dude. Newcombe needs to punch out; instead he too often skips away from the lyric confrontation.

As a BJM fan a dozen years before "Dig" appeared, admittedly (as other reviewers have noted even if they get lower "yes" votes!), Newcombe played off of his erratic myth over his career. Yes, this does gain an audience. Like at a car crash. But, I listen to music more than gawk at its messenger, and if you detach the singer's physical image from the songs he records here, for BJM to become the voice for his muse, he needs to focus less on glam and needles. Yes, I buy each BJM album, predicting I will uncover a few worthwhile songs, but I still insist that he is capable of much more effort. I'd much rather see him keep producing thoughtful work expanding the visions of the Summer of Love into which he was born--rather than aping a cult-figure, trapped into a Lizard King/Kurt Cobain-downward spiral.

I admit that until the release of the film Dig, I had no idea who these guys were. Anyhow, I was intrigued when I watched the documentary and heard their music. I soon after purchased this album, along with a copy of Dig. A week later I saw that BJM was coming to Salt Lake. The show was amazing! They played all of my favorites (Servo, Nevertheless, and When Jokers Attack). I also got to meet Anton, and was surprised at his down to earth nature, quite a contrast to the egotistical character that he appeared to be in Dig. Anyhow, the music is so real...the kind of songs that produce feeling rather than just entertain or amuse. This particular album is the way to go if you want an introduction to BJM. There are a lot of songs here, something for everyone.
Really, this is something I would recommend to any true music lover...

I discovered the BJM after friend told me "Dig" was compulsive viewing. Intrigued by what little of their music featured in the film (the film is more about personalities than the music itself) I bought this collection to get started. NB its hard to find the BJM's albums in Aus as they are all imports. Prior to seeing the movie I was pissed off with BJM because their Aussie gigs have mostly been washouts, with the usual rounds of drunk and stoned misconduct. Seeing Anton's personality up close in the movie has made me more forgiving. I mean, the poor guy's dad topped himself on his son's birthday. His mom seemed like a bitch too. No wonder he's a bit eccentric.

I've listened to this compilation many many times now and I still love it and find new things to hear in it. I have always been a huge fan of the rock music of the mid to late 60s, particularly the bands whose influence was not immediate, like the Velvets, the Nuggets and Pebbles bands, Love, Sid Barratt era Pink Floyd, The Stooges, Jefferson Airplane etc. The BJM have taken sonic ideas from these and many other musicians and forged them into something new, beautiful, significant and very much of itself. Anton Newcombe is a great songwriter, and the contributions of Matt Hollywood and many other collaborators are similarly worthy of attention.

This ability to write a song that suggests dozens of different bands throughout the history of rock yet be very much themselves is the BJM's great talent. The approach to recording is unusual, completely off the wall in fact, but it works. Excessive overdubs...a washy, almost Phil Spectre like wall of guitars while emotive hooks, riffs and solos leap out from the mix and fix themselves in your mind. To me this is much more absorbing and interesting than the studio polish, sheen and imposed from above radio friendliness of the Dandy Warhols.

Though the package is a retrospective, chronological order has been sacrificed for the sake of making the compilation flow like an album. Nevertheless, I really love the BJM from about 1997 onwards. Their sound and approach develop well with time. The earlier stuff is great too, but the music seems to get better, or at least more complex as time progresses.

CD 1 Has many highlights. "Servo," one of the BJM's signature tunes from the movie Dig stands out as one of the catchiest pop songs from the collection, but its songs like "She's Gone,"" Just for Today" and "Prozac vs Heroin" that ultimately command most attention. The unorthodox, though brilliant, approach to arranging and recording is what shines here. Guitars and other instruments are overdubbed many many times until individual notes and harmonics are lost in the mix. Listening to music like this takes me back to when was a kid and couldn't distinguish between instruments, and I love it.

The second CD is my favorite and has some of the best songs on it. "Nailing Honey to the Bee" is a great opener with its insistent metronomic drum beat, its dreamy psychedelic drones and beautiful guitar flourishes. "That Girl Suicide" similarly transforms an old blues motif into something oceanic and enormous sounding. "Let Me Stand Next to Your Flower" could be a lost Kinks song, while "Hide and Seek" and "Swallowtail" remind me of the early Cure or Psychedelic Furs. Even songs like "Sue" which is an acknowledged attempt to write a Lou Reed-like song, come across as original sounding and distinctive.

Matt Hollywood's contributions are worthy additions, all written in the tradition of the finest 60s garage rock. "Not if You Were the Last Dandy on Earth," is a musical and lyrical parody of the Dandy Warhols early sound that sounds more vibrant and earthy than anything the ever DWs did. "Oh Lord" is a punky deconstruction of bands like the Seeds and The Thirteenth Floor Elevators that rocks in a most becoming manner.

Of course not every song on TPW is a work of genius, but even the songs that aren't perfect are at least interesting... and I've found that some of the tunes I did not initially like very much have grown on me.

Ultimately, I think you'll know yourself whether or not you should add this to your collection. I'd say if you like the Beatles, Dylan, the Stones, The Kinks and the Velvet Underground and 60s rock music generally, you'll love this collection. If you also like Jesus & Mary Chain, Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, the Cure and the Smiths you'll probably love this too. This is one of about 10 or so CDs I'd take to the proverbial desert island with me.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre has had the unfortunate ability to self-destruct their impending sucess. I first became aware of the group a few years back, but the infamous antics of Anton Newcombe turned me off, and I didn't pay attention to the music. Earlier this year I got into the Dandy Warhols and with the release of Dig! Decided to listen to these guys.
Let the music speak for the Band not the antics. The BJM's music is amazing and uncomprimised. Some label it as derivative and locked in the '60's. I think the influences of the Byrds, Velvet Underground are obvious, but there are influences of My bloody Valentine, Jesus and Mary Chain amongst others.
THis is simpy beautiful psychedelic music. Jangly rickenbacker guitars, organs. Dark and brooding at times. This 2 CD set is an ideal starting point for the unitiated. The BJM so far has released over 10 albums. This takes the best moments from all of their albums and presents them in this comprehensive compilation. I have listened to this set multiple times daily every day since I bought it a week ago. Buy it now.

This is a great starting spot for anyone interested in getting a taste of what these guys are about. Regardless of what L.C Schlueter says in his "review" (click on his other reviews and check out his raves, Red House Painters & Low (snore). Dude, you have no reason to be at this party. You weren't invited. My favorite quote of his review, other than the fact that he gave it one star without actually hearing it (?!?!) was "depraved human beings managing to somehow convince otherwise sane people in the industry of their talent" Um, otherwise sane people? Are you a lackey at Capitol or something? Anyway, go buy this record if you want to steep yourselves in some pure, blissed out rock n roll energy. Everyone I know has their own BJM favorites and this collection skips over a few but all in all it's very solid.

I really love this group.The folk rock resonates with my love of mid 60's Byrds, Dylan and early airplane.A real tonic for lovers of that era,and quite simply good music.
The songs are well crafted,and the production always rings honest.
The name of the group ailienated my interest,but I'm glad I tried this compilation!
Some deride this group as retro...give me retro anyday if that's what this is!

The Brian Jonestown Massacre's 2-disc retrospective of their work called Tepid Peppermint Wonderland: Retrospective is a must for fans of the band or those who want an introduction to the infamous BJM.

As their name would suggest, the band's musical style marries elements of deceased Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones with the self-destructive bent of the late Jim Jones, the cult leader who poisoned himself and his huge congregation in Guyana.

BJM's music has strong 1960s influences (i.e. the aforementioned Jones), including the Byrds, which is most evident in the band's jangly Rickenbacker guitars a la Roger McGuinn. But BJM is dark at times too, and there's some Velvet Underground influences at work. Some of the best songs are That Girl Suicide, When Jokers Attack, and Starcleaner. Overall, the set is very good. The Brian Jonestown Massacre is an acquired taste, but if you love them, you'll love this.

The timing for Tepid Peppermint Wonderland's release couldn't have been better. The band and its leader were news off and on late last year, thanks in part to the critical success of the film Dig! (think Sundance winner), a feature length documentary shot over seven years about best friends Anton Newcombe (leader of the BJM) and Courtney Taylor-Taylor (leader of the Dandy Warhols). It's a wonderful mess indeed.

I have loved The Brian Jonestown Masscre ever since I first saw them play in SF back in the early 90s. This retrospective is an excellent collection of their work dating from the conception of the band in the 90s up until today. Its a collection that can be appreciated by old fans as well as those who are new to the band. As for the music, well its indescribeable. You have to hear to to believe it!

BJM really is amazing. The influences range from the obvious psychodelic 60s bands like the Animals all the way to Cure, The Kinks?, Dave Clarke 5 et al. The CD really sets a mood and if you are inclined to put your fold up chair on the apex of your roof and bring out the party favors of your choice then BJM should be exactly what you are looking for. Oh, and Open Heart Surgery is like one of the best songs I have ever heard.