Customer Reviews

Unrecoupable One Man Bandit

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

 

 

As a fan of Boy George for many years now, I have always wondered why the "mainstream" music audience seems to continually turn a casual back to his music. I have also wondered who are these people in charge of record companies, and why is it that genuinely good music can sit, sometimes for years, in dusty old vaults in the depths of record company basements. I think that this CD is one of the absolute best works I have ever heard from Boy George. The songs are moving, honest, and have the kind of integrity so lacking in most of what passes for "music" these days. I read Boy's liner notes, and love him as I do, I must disagree with the notion that these songs don't have commercial potential. On the contrary, I believe that these songs are far more "radio-friendly" than his last CD (Cheapness and Beauty), which I loved also.

Although Boy George was most famous in the early 80's, he really reached his creative zenith in the mid 90's. "Unrecoupable One Man Bandit" is a collection of some of the many unreleased songs that this prolific songwriting genius worked on in the post-Crying Game era of his career, before his eventual reunion with Culture Club.

Longtime Boy George fans are probably aware of his habit of performing new songs in his solo concerts. 10 of these songs finally make it to our CD players on this wonderful album. It's a special treat to hear a song for the first time when you're in a stadium full of other fans, but for several years, it was frustrating for fans to know that George had not released these songs... until now.

"In Maya" stands out. It's a beautiful acoustic semi-alternative rock ballad (think Duncan Shiek, Eagle Eye Cherry, etc.) that could have been a great radio airplay comeback single had the production been polished just a bit more. In fact, most of the songs here on "Unrecoupable" are left raw, in their demo form, and this helps recapture the magic of Boy George's solo concerts. If you saw his 1995 Cheapness and Beauty tour, you will remember the hard rockers "Who Killed Rock and Roll" and George's version of Bowie's "Suffragette City," the two tracks that close out the "Unrecoupable" album. "She Was Never He" is a haunting acoustic ballad. "Mister Strange" and "Number One" are fun, upbeat tracks composed of equal parts folk and pop, with George's very witty lyrics.

For anyone who missed out on Boy George's solo career, and is only familiar with his work in Culture Club, "Unrecoupable One Man Bandit" is a great listen, great fun, and a great way to see just how far Boy George has come as a songwriter -- he truly is one of the most prolific and underrated rock 'n'roll songwriters.

As soon as i got this CD I put it on and never took it off! It is one of the few CD's which I own that I can listen from beginning to end without pressing "skip" on my player. The songs are so moving, so listener friendly and really touching. The first Track G.I Josephine is irresistible and I find myself singing along everytime it comes on. "No," 1 is great as well as "Vanity case," and "He was never she;" Man all the songs are great; like I stated before from beginning to end. Now I can't wait to get the new Culture Club album!

The new release by Boy George is brilliant, it's composed of various tracks that have been previously unavailable on CD. I remember wanting these tracks, like "G.I Josephine" and "She was never he", back in 95 when I first heard them live on his Cheapness and Bauty tour. This release is meant primarily for his hard core fans like myself, but don't be shy to pick it up even if you are a casual Boy fan it's well worth it. It includes some of his most appealing tracks since Cheapness and Beauty. Stand out tracks are "In Maja", and "Number One". Boy George is certainly one of the most prolific and under rated artists of our generation. The diversity of musical styles on this release from soulful ballads to glam rock makes that very clear. If you want to catch up on the Boy this CD is a great place to start.

I AM a hardcore fan of boy george, and have been for 15 years.IMO, the first half of this cd is absolutely incredible. "GIJosephine" is hilarious, and the kind of song you can't play enough times; "She Was Never He" is my absolute favorite on this cd; "In Maya" is, as some have mentioned already - beautiful. George's voice on Maya is at it's absolute best, and if this song doesn't give you goose bumps, I don't know what would. Although I didn't care for "Spooky Truth" at first listen, it has grown to become another of my favorites on the cd, especially the screaming vocals of the awesomely talented Eve Gallagher. Unfortunately, the second half of the cd doesn't really click. Although I absolutely LOVE George's Cheapness and Beauty record, these last songs on "...Bandit" seem like they should have remained on the Cheapness cutting room floor. I am well aware that this cd was released for fan consumption only, and not trying to make inroads on the Billboard charts. With that said, I really recommend this cd because the songs that are really good - are more than worth the money that you spent to purchase. I am eagerly anticipating Culture Club's new cd "Don't Mind If I Do"; due out this autumn.

Boy George has never been better. I mean it. The track "GI Josephine" is quite simply the funniest pop song I've ever heard. "Broken Spirit" brings a tear to the eye. His "Suffragette City" rivals Bowie's. And "Who Killed Rock 'n' Roll" rings very true...Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync, and other posers listen up. In short, Boy George commands more respect for this record than any he's ever done! ^_^ Awesome!

If you didn't pick up your copy at a Culture Club show here is a chance you won't want to pass up! And know that you are getting a deal! At show in America it went for $25.00 And worth every dollar! It starts with G.I. Josephine a very fab song about gays in the army with very fab humour! Who Killed Rock And Roll is a good ending note...a great song pining for the REAL music..an I DON'T want my MTV song!As Boy George puts it" It is for all the hardcore fans who have been bugging me to release these songs" This album has it ALL from ballads to dance to humour!

I first heard "G.I. Josephine" live here in Atlanta Ga. when George was on tour promoting his Cheapness and Beauty CD. The song is about gays in the military and george said he wrote it on the bus while touring about the time the big "don't ask don't tell "...was going on.. it was funny and of course in your face..I picked up this album because of that song and the fact that Im sure I'd find more on this that I liked. There are 2 songs that I always skip to when I put this cd in the player...A track called "IN MAYA" and another called "Broken Spirit".

If you are a avid Boy George fan then you dont want to miss keepin these great songs from your collection....too bad they'll never get released commercially-- they remind me of songs I'd be listening to for years to come. 2 Classics..check this out!

I honestly have to say that I think this is THE best solo album George has put out. It's strong throughout. I agree that GI Josephine is outstanding as are many others. Love the cover of Suffregette City. So glad I got it.

This is a great CD for the true Boy George fans! I laughed out loud at GI Josephine. These are real introspective songs from George, along the lines of the Cheapness and Beauty disc. As George himself admitted, these are not meant to be the mainstream pop ditties that "Karma Chameleon" and "Do You Really..." were. But they are classic, from the heart George, and I loved them!