Customer Reviews

Timbuk3/Edge of Allegiance

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

 

 

This was one of the first albums i remember listening to and it stills brings back memories. This album is a fantastic collection of bluesy, rocky lefty songs. I can't understand why no-one has ever heard of this album, it is sort of a cross between REM with a more country-blues style. great 10/10. This is my first review and i decided to write it because it is so underrated and people must hear this.

Their duos best. By far. Everything is at top. Every song great. Loving, groovy, funny, catchy and tearbraking. Get it!

1 National Holiday
2 Waves Of Grain
3 Dirty Dirty Rice
4 Pass It On
5 Standard White Jesus
6 Grand Old Party
7 Count To Ten
8 B-Side Of Life
9 Acid Rain
10 Daddy's Down In The Mine
11 Don't Give Up On Me
12 Wheel Of Fortune

Timbuk 3 was much more than "The Future's So Bright", as The Edge of Alliance shows. Recorded while still a duo, the cd, along with "Greetings" and "Eden Alley" form a classic trilogy of music. The strongest cut on "Edge", "Dirty, Diry Rice", still packs a punch in this time of have and have nots, with guitar and vocals equal to the power of the lyrics. "Standard White Jesus", sure to offend some listeners, questions our willingness to "bow down" before symbols without question or discussion, with vocals that sound both amused and resigned. . While "Fields of Grain" falls short of the rest of the CD - not sure what the song's about - the rest of the songs make you truly wonder why this group was not embraced by the public. Good thing Pat and Barbara were ok "living on the B side of life", but they should have been allowed a promotion. (If for no other reason than the incredible harmonica playing throughout this album).

It amazes me that Timbuk 3 never got popular recognition for anything but "The Future's So Bright". While that was a catchy tune, it was certainly not their best. They were the most consistent band I know of. Virtually EVERYTHING they put out was great, including this, possibly their best in a string of great albums. Great music, intelligent lyrics, how they remained so obscure is beyond me.

One truly amazing thing about "Edge Of Allegiance" is that this is a politically inspired album that was written and released 20+ years ago, yet the subject matter could have been written yesterday. Fantastic! If you like great music, you will love Timbuk 3. One of my all time favorite albums - and bands.

Just listening to my old cassette copy of this record in the car, decided to write a review. It's a shame that "Shades" gave Timbuk 3 a novelty band rep b/c they put out some of the best stuff going. Spare arrangements, smart and funny lyrics, catchy melodies and infectious grooves. A must-have record.