Customer Reviews

Wholesale Meats & Fish

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I became acquainted with Letters To Cleo back in the mid-90s when I heard their song "Here And Now" on the radio and the Melrose Place soundtrack. I bought Aurora Gory Alice and Wholesale Meats and Fish at the same time. It's a good thing I did. I became interested in Letters To Cleo because I liked "Here and Now," but all the songs that have the sound of "Here and Now" are found on Wholesale Meats and Fish. I found Aurora Gory Alice to be a quite boring album, and if I hadn't also bought Wholesale Meats and Fish, I would have assumed these guys were a one-hit wonder. I like the music of every song on Wholesale Meats and Fish; I only skip "Demon Rock" and "Acid Jed" because I don't like the lyrics. I bought this when I lived in Los Angeles, and with its sunny summer sound, when I hear it now it takes me back to the mountains and beaches of L.A. Other groups I listen to when I'm in this mood are Belly, Sugar, Elastica, and early Popinjays ('91-'92).

I've had this cd for eight or nine years now, and I still enjoy listening to it. It has a determined energy, but doesn't seem to take itself too seriously, a combination I enjoy. I'm not saying it's genius or anything. In fact, it's fairly straightforward, and perhaps stereotypically early 90s alternative. Perhaps it's just the allure of Kay Henley's spunky voice that keeps me listening.

This CD is honestly a good CD. I unlike most of these reviewers haven't followed Letters to Cleo through the years.. and the first LTC CD I bought was this one. I listened to it once, and I was hooked. Because of this CD LTC is one of my favorite bands. I have all the LTC CD's now and this still is my favorite. The lyrics aren't as strong as they could be, but the music and style they put into each song makes every single song on this CD better!

This CD is pretty easy to describe... the first half is awesome, and the second half is complete trash. Actually, slightly more than half is good, fortunately. Tracks 1 through 7 rock, but after that, it's all pretty bad. Awake, Acid Jed, and Pizza Cutter are the best tracks on the album, and the other first 4 tracks are all really good too. Come to think of it, He's Got An Answer is listenable too. But usually I just pop the CD out after Pizza Cutter, because the last tracks are very disappointing. Still, I guess it's worth buying for the good half.

I thought that this cd waas really good. One of the reasons that I bought it was because of the 10 things I hate aboout you cd. The first time I heard them I loved them!!!!!! All of the songs on the cd are good.I hope that you buy this cd.

This was by far LTC's weakest effort. It would've been hard to to top the masterpiece that was "Aurora Gory Alice" (How in the hell is THAT the one that's out of print now?!?) but WMF doesn't even come close. Comparisons aside it doesn't stand that well on it's own either. While I praise the band for trying to branch out and not use the same formula for this album, I have to say it just simply doesn't have the bite that "Aurora" has. Some of the songs are just plain boring and have no hooks. They tried to put a bit too much crunch on the guitars on this one, it seemed like they we're making a conscious effort to not "go soft" which is admirable but it messed with the quality of their songs. The balance they had on songs like "Rim Shak" and "I see" from Aurora are perfect examples of songs that can compliment Kay's voice and still rock. Overall, Kay's sweet voice is the only saving grace here on WMF. I would not recommend introducing yourself to LTC with this disc. Try to find the 1993 original version of Aurora Gory Alice on the CherryDisc label out of Boston. This is the superior version of the album, it has the original versions of Big Star, Rim Shak and Here and Now and a much more raw sound overall. And to Kay & LTC: Are the kids grown up yet? Please come back soon, we miss you.

Letters to Cleo is my all time favorite musical group, so it's easy for me to say that this was just an awesome CD! They just have creative style and sound that is all their own. I mean, who else would name their album "Wholesale Meats and Fish"? ;) It's a great album for anyone who loves that chick rock sound with a unique edge!

Letters To Cleo - an awesome band. Wholesale Meats&Fish - an awesome album. The only reason this album didn't get 5 *s (stars) is because not *ALL* the songs kept me groovin`... which a 5-star album should do...

With Kay Hanley's awesome lyrics & vox along with LTC's great poppy/punky sound... this album was superb! The only songs I skip (on occasion) are "Jennifer" & "Laudanum"... Some great hits are: "Demon Rock", "Awake", "Pizza Cutter", "Little Rosa", "Acid Jed", "Fast Way", & "I Could Sleep (The Wuss Song)"... LTC's finest album! Check it out if you are a fan of cool female vocals & punky guitar riffs.

Hard chick rock with an alternative sheen. Letters To Cleo were not the first in the genre, nor the best, but they were good at what they did. Will please fans of Fetchin Bones, Sheer and The Breeders. "Demon Rock' `Fast Way' and `Awake' are standouts. In a different world they might have been huge, but like a lot of like minded artists, they never quite made the big time.

This album has even better material than the first disc. Songs like "Awake" and "Demon Rock" are so easy to listen to over and over again. Why this band isn't at the top of the charts? I don't know but they will be soon.