Weight

Rollins Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 12, 1994)
• Original Release Date: April 12, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Imago Records
• ASIN: B0000040P3
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,888 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #23 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Rock
  • #76 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Controlled anger with stellar musicianship, August 18, 2004

By 

John Alapick (Wilkes-Barre, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Weight (Audio CD)

Weight was the Rollins Band's breakthrough into the mainstream and remains their best album. While their previous album The End Of Silence was an unfocused affair with many of the songs tending to drag, Weight cuts out all the fat as every song here is very strong both musically and lyrically.

This album is best known for its memorable video/single "Liar" which starts out as a mellow jazz tune under Henry Rollins' soft spoken vocals before getting heavy during the choruses. While this is the most well known track, many other songs here match its brilliance. "Civilized" and "Step Back" both rely on a killer groove before dropping down in tempo midway through before regaining its original momentum. "Alien Blueprint" is a fantastic tale of a former outcast who doesn't let his past ruin his future. "Shine" is another great tune driven by a groovy riff and more of Rollins' great self-help lyrics. "Disconnect" is a mid-tempo track driven by the excellent rhythm section of bassist Melvin Gibbs and drummer Sim Cain that is also very strong. The momentum slows down on the grinding "Volume 4" and the slow jazz of "Tired" which concentrate more on mood and Rollins' vocals which speak of a man wrestling with his emotions. Other great tracks include the driving "Icon", "Fool", and "Wrong Man" which are all carried by Chris Haskett's killer riffs and wild yet creative soloing. Rarely has an album been released that combines controlled anger with such great lyrics and musicianship. Highly recommended.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Henry and Co.'s best album., May 15, 1999

By 

Frank ([e-mail]) (Toledo, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Weight (Audio CD)

First of all, hats off to Theo Van Rock and Peter Rave for producing and engineering this album-- as far as sound quality goes (especially Melvin Gibb's bass) this is in the top 5 albums of all times.

Beyond that, this album is the finest Rollin's band album yet and it even surpasses much of Henry's work with Black Flag. But surprisingly, dispite the band's name, Henry is overshadowed by the excellent work of the rest of the band on this album. The band always sounds tight as hell with their not holds barred approach to recording. Sim Cain holds his own on drums dispite Henry's vocals, Chris Haskett's hard, funky, at times almost Hendrixian guitar stylings, along with Melvin Gibb's bass (gotta love that wah-wah on "Shine").

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for the average human, February 14, 2000

By 

darren - See all my reviews

This review is from: Weight (Audio CD)

Henry Rollins is a tough listen. Not that it's a bad listen, but it is not for everyone. I reckon Rollins Band music to that of Tom Waits or Neil Young. The music sounds nothing like either one, but the biggest criticism is always their singing. All I have to say is.....move on, don't listen, you don't get it and probably won't.

Henry is very intense here, much as he is in life and in concert. He doesn't mince words or hold punches because he thinks life is too short to NOT be direct. Read the lyrics on this CD and you'll understand.

My favorites here are FOOL and STEP BACK and LIAR (step back is pretty funny). I have several Rollins offerings, this one was my first taste. If you like this, I think you'll like them all. Keep in mind, very few like Rollins at first taste, but (like cheap wine) it tastes better as you consume it. The hang over is rough, though, so look out!