Wondermints

Wondermints | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 5, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Big Deal Records
• ASIN: B000000ICG
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,710 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Proto-Pretty

2. Fleur-De-Lis

3. Tracy hide

4. She Opens Heaven's Door

5. Libbyland

6. Shine

7. Thought Back

8. Time

9. Global Village Idiot

10. Playtex Aviary

11. In A Haze

12. Carnival Of Souls

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Been compared to Pet Sounds--aren't you a little curious?, January 7, 2001

By 

livright "endust" (The Prairie, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wondermints (Audio CD)

Only a few months ago, people were gladly paying $35 for the Japanese import. Now it's still an import (English) but at $12.99 you'll never make a better buy. It doesn't sound that much like Pet Sounds (maybe "Tracey Hide" is vaguely like "Caroline No"), but it will bring you bliss every time you listen. You may have heard that the Wondermints were Brian Wilson's backing band on his recent Pet Sounds tour. But their own music is not an homage to the Beach Boys--they definitely have their own identity. I recommend visiting their website and reading their story, along with the quotes from reviews of this album. I hope that will convince you to take a chance. This is one of those rare perfect albums. And, since they haven't released a new one in a few years, maybe your interest will help get them recording again.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YA SHOULDA BOUGHT IT WHEN IT WAS ON BIG DEAL, September 8, 2000

By 

More M (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wondermints (Audio CD)

See that...now it's only available as an import, now that Big Deal Records (NY, USA) is out of business...and you're kicking yourself for not buying it earlier...it's probably worth the hefty import price if you're a completist...but I say pick up "Wonderful World of" and "Bali" first...sure, "Proto-Pretty" shoulda been a huge hit, in a better world...but let's face it, musically, it ain't a better world when suburban white kids are listening to rap music instead of pure, sun-drenched pop...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is actually a great cover album, August 13, 2004

By 

Mark G Dillon (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wondermints (Audio CD)

There is a mistake of some kind going on here. The cover displayed is for the group's great first album, titled simply Wondermints. Wonderful World of the Wondermints is the group's follow-up album, which consists entirely of cover versions. Either way, both albums are brilliant, and I strongly advise you to disregard that previous, completely puzzling review.
The first album consists entirely of originals, and is one of the most solid power pop albums I've ever heard. The sond dissed previously, Carnival of Souls, is actually the closer, not the opener, and is in fact a super-catchy rocker. The rest uses the likes of the Beach Boys, Beatles, Elvis Costello, Left Banke and Velvet Underground as influences, yet still comes up sounding fresh. If you're a fan of any of these artists, you will love this album. I give it *****.
The second album is almost as good in its way. Cover albums are usually not a good idea, but this is a great example of how to do them well. The group makes interesting song choices, and brings them fresh life. Heck, they even have the audacity to cover one of their own songs. The opener, the Monkees' Porpoise Song, is a surprise stunner. Other artists whose songs get a novel approach include everyone from Brian Wilson to Paul Revere, Burt Bacharach, Pink Floyd, ABBA, the Turtles, along with some more obscure but fascinating choices. This album is great fun and full of quality. It stands up well to repeated listenings. Good luck finding these albums now, but if you do, you won't be sorry!