Customer Reviews

Vinyl

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the fourth of Dramarama's 6 cds (after Cinema Verite, Box Office Bomb, and Stuck In Wonderamaland, but before Hi-Fi Sci-Fi, and somewhere in there was their Bent Backed Tulips album). If you like Stuck In Wonderamaland, you'll like this. Though lacking a "Last Cigarette" or "Anything, Anything" type song, this cd has a couple of often overlooked gems.

My favorite is "In Quiet Rooms". Anyone who has witnessed the college scene will identify with this song. Catchy tune, awfully emoting lyrics.

One thing I particularly like about this album is the range of style. There are tunes to chill and ponder to like "Train Going Backwards" and "I'd Like to Volunteer" but there are also tunes to crank to volume to 10 (11 if you have a Spinal Tap stereo) like "Ain't It The Truth" and "I've Got Spies".

No matter what style the song is you are always comforted in the fact that you experience supreme vocals, excellent lyrics, and masterful craftsmanship.

Dramarama should've been bigger than Nirvana. John Easedale, the prime mover of the band, is a great singer/songwriter. All of their albums are worth listening to. This one is one of their finest.

Vinyl, along with its darker, edgier cousin Hi-Fi Sci-Fi, represents Dramarama at its creative peak. Vinyl plays like a tribute album to the rock of the late 60's and 70's--everything from the later-era Beatles to the 70's version of the Stones, from Kiss to more obscure acts like T. Rex, The New York Dolls, and Johnny Thunders. After an career of several uneven albums with some great songs ("Anthing, Anything, "Last Cigarette"), the band finally produced an album that's solid from beginning to end. Highlights include "Haven't Got a Clue," "Ain't It the Truth," and a cover of the Stones' B-side "Memo From Turner."

This is my first review, and I'm writing as I eagerly await my copy of HiFi SciFi. This I have to say, is one of the best CDs I've ever purchased, from the opening "Until the Next Time" straight through to the end, not a bad note is heard.As a guitarist who has always been into plain old unadulterated Jangly melodic guitar pop, this is the perfect fix for those with a love of this sound. I get out my guitar and play along for extra fun! After this I bought "Cinema Verite", but the real standouts on there are "Anything, Anything" and "Scenario". On "Vinyl", the good stuff never stops. I agree with another reviewer about "In Quiet Rooms", the middle part where it's just the music with no vocal is SO beautiful, I nod my head along to the beat with a smile on my face every time! Buy this CD NOW!

okay, first things first. the song, "what are we gonna do?" was written sort of as a slag on the whole "save the world," sort of mentality. not that it's a bad mentality, because it isn't, but because the band had just played an earth day show in san francisco and, after the show, there was just garbage everywhere. having typed that, i can continue. this is, as i've written, the last great dramarama album. it's a great album to drive to, it kicks off wonderfully with "until the next time," and doesn't ever really stop, even when it does slow down. the first three songs are among the strongest 1-2-3 on a record i own, and i own quite a few. i'd get the first three (or was it four?) dramarama albums first, but it would never be a bad idea to pick this one up, particularly if you're into stonesy/beatlish sort of stuff. this is the band's stonesy/beatlish album.

I had never heard of Dramarama when this disc came out in 1991, but I read a review of it in the Chicago Tribume and bought the record on the strength of the review alone. I was not disappointed. I've gone through two copies since. The cover of the Stones' "Memo From Turner" is terrific, and particularly ironic since it follows closely after Classic Rot, a scathing criticism of the growth of "Classic Rock" radio stations. The opening sound effect of the record dropping onto a turntable and the needle hitting vinyl brings back lush memories of my youth, sitting around stoned with friends listening to 'Magical Mystery Tour", and suddenly the technical superiority of 90s recording techniques kicks in and catapults the listener into the here and now. The band experimented with so many different textures on this album that it's hard to classify. The pop bass line of "Ain't It The Truth" contrasts with the almost folksy "I'd Like to Volunteer". The wonderful statement of "What Are We Doing" addresses real issues (I'm not a protest singer, I can't write a song to send a message, but it seems to me this message needed to be sent) without being preachy. Additionally, the work of guest musicians Ben Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) and Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones) as well as others (the drummer from Wire Train) added great depth to the recording. Unfortunately, this album and the equally good Hi-Fi Sci-Fi will probably be relegated to collectors bins and flea markets. The world truly missed out on a gem when it didn't back Dramarama. By the way, for a great look at where the band came from, if you can find the earlier albums "Lost in Wonderamaland" and "Live at the China Club", snag 'em. Worth their weight in gold.

Dramarama's Vinyl maybe the perfect pop record (CD) but isn't Earth Day on April 22nd? Wrong date aside (perhaps there is some clever cryptic meaning with the 21st)the album is pure sugar and cheese with that feel good melody and candy apple optimism behind every word in the lyrics. You can't help but sing along with every verse.

If you like Rock, you like this and all the other Dramarama. I still cannot beleive this band did not do better. I was lucky to have seen them many times. You can't go wrong this this cd.

Love the music and the band wish they'd made some money and kept on recording.

John Easdale and company have captured a vital part of our century in the emotive lyrics, the constant musical bombardment and the segueways between one great musical statement after another. Treat yourself to a wonderful experience and buy this disc. It also works well as driving music.