Customer Reviews

Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, I heard about these guys (or at least their frontman) when I read about the docu-drama "Dig" featuring Courtney Taylor (of the Dandy Warhols) narrating the life and times of a couple of up and coming (sort of) alt-rock bands in the mid 90's. I dig the Dandy's and, apparently, BJM was one of the band's inspirations. Looking into their catalogue, by golly, I found this title, "Their Satanic Majesties...'Second' Request" (hmmmm).

I always thought the Stones' '68 "Satanic Majesties" was an underrated classic. Totally unlike anything they'd done before or since. Verry trippy vibe, very cool. Eastern mysticism, Baba Ram Dass, BE HERE NOW, oneness, nowness, the Great Sea of Existence. Yeah, baby. And here's a rock band, in 1995 (just a few years after "Nevermind", during the height of the grunge-rock craze) shooting at the same target the Stones went after in '68.

Bullseye.

This CD makes the Stones' prior effort seem a bit hit and miss. Anyone looking for a sweet, low-key, psychedelic mind-ride need go no further. And - no - this one is not all sitars, jamborines, world-beat sounding happy-sappy saffron robe balding hippy-pap (see Peter Gabriel). The liner notes make it clear that the band played, among other instruments ... "wolf horn, maraccas, weird chinese s**t, tyco drums, vibes, piano, woodwinds and other top secret crap." In other words, these guys were not into themselves making "genre" music, just into the music.

Evocative, inspirational, no-holds-barred, very Stonesy. By the second guitar chorus on track 14 ('cause, i lover'), I was there, really THERE (if you know what I mean). Let's just say that when words fail, this music brings you home.

This one rocks. With a dose of menace. And with a purpose. Let it into your head, groove-meisters.

This album is in heavy rotation in my home. Truth be told, not only is it in heavy rotation in my home, but in my car, at work, and in my head!

Even though this came out in '96, the fact that I listen to it more now than I ever did speaks to the enduring and timeless quality of Anton A. Newcombe's songwriting. Or, that I am possibly stuck in some sort of psychedelic rut... even so, it's a blissful place indeed.

I'm constantly impressed by the complex rhythms and instrumentation. All the songs on this album flow in and out of each other beautifully, some tracks tinged with sitars and maracas right next to tracks with jangling guitars (listen and you can hear all three in addition to the bass...)tamborine and driving beats. But I'm not a music critic. I just know it sounds great and it makes me feel fantastic.

At the moment, my favorite track is "Cold to the Touch"; absolutely sexy and cool. But just a couple months ago it was "Miss June 1975". Still one of my favorite and gorgeous love songs, it slowly unfolds into a delightfully yummy ode to, well, making a woman happy. AWESOME. "No Come Down", "Jesus" & "Anenome" are all super, too.

I love that BJM has a song for my every mood, and every occasion. And I love that I'll be listening to the album for years to come. Hope you enjoy it, too.

There are times when independent sellers on amazon.com are, shall we say, a bit opportunistic. I see prices from $35-50 listed for this CD -- keep in mind it's a circle of metallized plastic with a lifespan of ten years or so (less, if you don't treat it like a librarian or a collector would).

Also, consider that I purchased it THIS MORNING, brand new, at my local independent record store for $13.

Don't get scammed by people with e-bay fever.

Okay, let's talk about the album.

Despite a few sonic flaws (that could even be seen as adding to the overall package -- read on), TSMSR is a pretty well-realized paean to the salad days of the late sixties: Byrds- and Stones-influenced slow-spinning songs mingle with no small amount of sitar. Even the physical layout and photos seem plucked from a time capsule.

The 60's "era" is approached with humor and grace, and not treated like some kind of unassailable religious event as some revivalist bands are wont to do. There is a healthy dose of hedonism here too -- no morality plays to soothe the cultural right wing. Instead, BJM gives them the finger.

This isn't a genre exercise though. As well as these songs might blend into that time period, it just as effortlessly references the stylistic range of His Name Is Alive or the jangle of XTC. What's being displayed is a genuine affection for the instrumentation and recording techniques of the 60's. The attitudes and morals are coming from a decidedly more modern space, informed by the failures of the 60's as well as the successes. And the songwriting is sharp, clever, and catchy.

So things are a little murky, and there are tape flaws that come through at lower volumes. Really, a pristine digital recording would be an affront to the smoke-ringed, liquid-light atmosphere this little gem serves up.

Now go to your local independent music store and comb through their bins. Enjoy!

buy this cd and listen to it over and over again, but don't be scammed by people trying to sell it to you for 40.00. you can get this cd at cd stores for under $20.00 brand new. considering the d.i.y. effort that went into all of the BJM recordings it's ridiculous that someone is trying to make that much money from their cds.

If you are interested in this album it won't disappoint. Do yourself a favor and get a copy from the bomp records website for $12 (shipping included).

It's great that there is still a band that writes music like this.
If you like the late 60's era at all, buy this album. BJM is one of the few bands still exploring this kind of sound, and thankfully so. I really don't listen to too many modern bands anymore, but they are the exception. Check out there extensive collection, it will keep you busy for months.

Some of the greatest art ever created came from the minds of spirits of tortured souls. BJM's manic brainchild and iconoclast, Anton Newcombe, may indeed be Brian Jones reincarnate, but Jones and the Stones got nothing on these guys. Who ARE these guys anyway? Well, first go rent the documentary film, DIG!, which is the story of playful rival bands BJM and The Dandy Warhols.Then Buy this CD and hear for yourself WHY Dandy frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor is convinced BJM is the greatest rock band in the world. Yes, their sound is soaked in the tradition of sixties psychedelia, but I have a feeling their music won't sound dated at all 40 years from now. Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request is the definitive BJM record and thus it's gonna set you back a few bucks, but check out the others as well. These discs love repeated spins under the laser. Enjoy this rare artist (Anton) while he's still alive!

This album is the best thing I have purchased over the last 2 years. Amazing and exciting, clever, rocks hard, great psychedelic overtones, 5 stars is not enough.

This is one of my favorite albums of all time. I highly recommend this purchase for anyone who needs a perfect addition to their record collection.

i have half a dozen BJM cds. i'm also a fan of the psych 60s.

this is one of the best discs i own. and i own thousands. incredible & timeless.