Customer Reviews

Vive Le Rock

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Viva Le Rock never got proper recognition for being a return to Adam Ant's punkier roots. This album was the last of Adam's 'classic' albums and after his appearance on Live Aid that year(1985), he would disappear into acting and only return to making albums very sporadicaly(only two since then). Here, Viva Le Rock is more guitar-heavy, similar to the early/mid-80's pop-punk of Billy Idol, with Adam and the boys decked out in cucumber-cool tough hombre mode. When Adam disbanded the Ants to 'go solo', he dropped the double-drum line-up and punk guitars but retained a lot of his 18th century pirate/highwayman/sexy rogue image. He also incorporated horns and strings on those two post-Ants albums, the smash 'Friend Or Foe' and the campy/pop sex-obsessed 'Strip'. On Viva Le Rock, Adam went back to a 'band' format with a four-piece group consisting of Marco(of course), Chris DeNiro(bass) and Count Wiczling(drums). The music(and back photo)certainly does make it seem like there was more of a group thinking here. In my opinion, this album was put out by a new Ants. It could have been credited to Adam & The Ants- Adam certainly had a solid band here. A shame he didn't keep them long, Viva Le Rock was a return to form and more guitar-oriented than the previous two albums. The title track is one of his best rockers and was a hit(as was 'Apollo 9). Other great tracks were 'Miss Thing', 'Hell's 8 Acres', 'Rip Down' and a humorous 'P.O.E.' which is about the arms race(Viva Le Rock does have an 80's theme of nuclear war, Russians and other Reagan-era concerns done in humorous manner). Not the Ants with the make-up and war paint, but clearly an Ants album in everything but in name. Definately a product of the 80's but worth hearing for much more than the two hits. Try it.

This record blew me away when it first came out, and it's still one of my favorites. It was supposed to be Adam Ant's big rock record, and rock it does! (Some writers have described it as rockabilly, but I don't get that as the dominant feel.) The sound is huge (at least by Adam Ant standards), and almost every song is relentlessly catchy. True, Adam's vocal overacting, yodeling, and made-up gibberish words (see "Razor Keen") can be irritating at times, but the band's nonstop rocking attack simply plows over those shortcomings. I also sense an undercurrent of homoeroticism (check out "Scorpio Rising") that adds another intriguing dimension. Best of all, though, is Marco's guitar work; his playing and palette of tones are so astonishingly good on the entire record that it's difficult to pick standouts--although "Miss Thing," "Razor Keen," and "Hell's Eight Acres" are good places to start. Apparently considered a flop at the time of its release, Vive le Rock is simply a great, grossly underrated record. (Note: I have both the CD and the LP, and the CD sounds, well, compressed; the LP sounds much bigger.)

This album is unbelievable. I really REALLY wish it was easier to get. I could only get a used copy. And I am still on the hunt for a new one. It is punk, guitar rock and rockibilly all rolled into one. In a style that ONLY Adam Ant and Marco Pirroni could pull off. The cover art is beautiful. Maybe the best picture of Adam ever. The songs have to be heard to be believed. Hell's Eight Acres is probably in my top 5 favorite songs of all time. And the more I listen to it the better it gets. No Zap- another gem. I don't even know what else to say. This album really blows my mind.

I am not sure why this album wasnt talked about more. Adam looked FANTASTIC, sounded FANTASTIC the songs (ALL OF THEM) are really just too good. The song writing was very clever and it sounds like nothing else I've ever heard. Unfortunatly this album isnt easy to get anymore. Hardly anybody has it. I was on a waiting list for a long time to get it, but I finally did and it was WELL worth the wait. This definately tops my favorite album list. Really, try and get it. A+ Adam! Good job! As always!!

I loved this CD back when I was in high school in the '80s. And you know what: It's still one great CD, and truly Adam Ant at his best. Adam always claimed to be an entertainer, and this CD definitely delivers. The songs possess a drive that is markedly different from Friend or Foe and Strip, and show Adam Ant's ability to produce a great rock n roll CD. My favorites: "Vive Le Rock," "Apollo 9," and "No Zap." It's a shame this CD is so hard to find now. Anyone who grew up in the '80s, and any retro freak, should have this CD.

As much a statement of purpose as a return to form, this underrated album is one of the best by Adam, if not the best. Fully as consistent as FRIEND OR FOE, the album has more variation of sound and intensity, and from the `bang bang' opening to the close, it never disappoints. Weird, wild and lively, here Adam most closely approaches like-minded LA New Wave madmen Oingo Boingo. Ignored by the public, scorned by the critics, VIVE LE ROCK has stood the test of time much better than a lot of better known albums from the period. Standout tracks include `Apollo Nine' `Rip Down' `Mohair Locker Room Pin Up Boys' as well as the infectious, unforgettable title track. It's a sin the way that Adam has been dismissed; it's a crime the way this album has been ignored. Defy the normals and buy it.

The best Adam Ant including the "and the ants" material. Very good rocking album with great twang from his guitarist Marco.

Love that BOW WOW WOW Burumbi beat percussion on "Mohair Locker Room Pin-Up Boys". (of course BOW WOW WOW were previously his ants after all minus A Lwin the singer)

Some of my faves besides the known radio plays of "Vive Le Rock" and "Apollo 9" are:

"Scorpio Rising"

"Miss Thing" .....love the guy crashing randomly on the piano part

"Rip Down"

"Hell's Eight Acres" ....which just jams on all thrusters

This was a great band. Check out the cool photo of them on the back cover. (The record album sleave is the best.) They look like they could have been members of toe-cutters gang in MAD MAX. Actually, after seeing Adam's acting, he would have made a great "Johnny the boy" I'm sure Visconti who produced the album had something to do with its great sound. He's done a lot with performers such as Bowie and Morrisey.

After the horrible "Strip", this was somewhat of a return for Adam.Lots of energy and big pop sound was back that was completely missing from "Strip". Alas, this would be the last we would hear from him for quite awhile and in hindsight, this is a good c.d. to have to complete your Adam Ant/Adam & The Ants collection.

I was a massive ants fan as a kid & still am to this day. Adam (& Marco) wrote some of the 80's most memorable pop songs, but it does sadden me that people constantly refer to the standards when speaking of him (Kings & Prince period). As good as they were, there was so much more to Adam than that period as Friend or Foe, Dirk wears white sox & this album so adequately demonstrate. The songs are just massive on this record, & Adam's vocals are just awesome. But it's the guitar sound that blew me away, & is (without doubt) Marco's most complete performance on an Ants record, with wonderfully layered, rich sounding strings throughout! The whole package is complemented by fantastic production, & great imagery (the like of which only Adam could do/get away with). Unlike some this isn't a rediscovery for me as I've never stopped listening to the Adam & the Ants (I'm now 43). To much was made of Adam's illness, & to a large extent it's (unfairly) tarnished peoples opinion of him. Adam is one of the most iconic pop stars EVER, & he is responsible for writing some of the most memorable pop songs EVER. I really hope he knows just how much he & his music is still loved by many, & if you haven't heard this album (either at all, or for a while) then do yourself a BIG favour & check it out again. This is classic 80's fayre that has truly stood the test of time & is quite possibly Adam's finest hour. Long live rock indeed!

After the overly foppish "Strip" ( where Adam just crossed too far over the "how new romantic can I be?" line.),and before the overly crummy "Manners & Physique"....resides this rocking album!

Adam & Marco strip down and tighten up the band,with Chris DeNiro (nee'Constantinou),and Count Bogdan Wiczling,for a brillaint Rockabilly pastiche,flavoured with a little bit of 60's Astronaut nuttiness!( And listen for Adam's brilliant Slim Pickens impression on "P.O.E." )

If you are one of those Ant fans whom thought Adam was done for,this is a nice spark,that shows when the man is on top of his game,he can still rock!

Blast Off!