Way We Were

Babe The Blue Ox

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 29, 1998)
• Original Release Date: September 29, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000008UUE
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #336,983 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Babe the Blue Ox's underground reputation as East Coast kids all hopped up on dizzy funk-rock via '80s new-wave pop is still intact on The Way We Were. OK, sometimes it's a little too obvious--witness "Lotto Train," whose verses bear a bizarre resemblance to Duran Duran's "Is There Something I Should Know?" That's just part of the trio's charm. Dig the splendor of the single "Basketball," which pits guitarist Tim Thomas and bassist Rosalee J. Thomson in an infectious verbal one-on-one over looped drums and funky electric piano. "Tattoos" and "Mensy," an ode to their now-retired touring van, slip into the trademark seasick groove that Babe knows well, while Thomson's featured ballad, "The Monday After," is just downright pretty. The Way We Were may not contain great surprises for longtime Babe fans, but, like their previous releases, it's all in good and groovy fun. --Jason Josephes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A penny saved is a penny wasted in this case, March 10, 2005

By	Greg Brady "columbusboy" (Capital City) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Babe the Blue Ox is an alterna-pop trio from New York City featuring lead vocalist/guitarist Tim Thomas, bass player and sometime lead vocalist Rosalee Thomson, and Hanna Fox who pounds the skins and contributes harmonies.

The best tracks on here truly shimmer, like "Basketball". Think of it as Sublime (a la "What I Got") going one on one with Len (a la "Steal My Sunshine"). A funky bass groove collides with Thomson's sunny counterpoint to create a truly infectious hook. See if you aren't singing "Pass it to me...I am free..there is no one guarding me" in your head for awhile. "Lotto Train" is a grittier number, complaining about how the games prey on the poor's hopes for escape, while "T.G.I.F.U." laments the homogenization of America (Thomas drives Route 66 to clear his head and keeps seeing the same signs everywhere...). "Sheila" is a hard one to figure out..Thomas sings the lead on the tune about a man and his (female) best friend who tells him about her boyfriend. Lines like "I Could never be the next one, I could never be his someone" lead you to wonder..is Thomas lusting after the GUY? But in a later couplet, Thomas admits he tried to kiss the girl in a theater, so the politics of the song become even more confused. Maybe he wants a threesome? An intriguing lyric with a great hook.

Stinkers here are "The Monday After" which, although it has an absolutely GORGEOUS vocal from Thomson, just doesn't go anywhere lyrically. "Heartbreak #1" is also a snooze.

Bottom Line: Here's a chance to own something not a lot of people know about for cheap and pick up some nice tunes. C'mon..you can spare a penny,right?

3 1/2 stars

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hello, music press, where are you?, April 11, 1999

By A Customer

Babe is simply the best unknown band I know of. They're not writing hooks for the radio, just real songs about what a scam the state lotteries are, how strip malls, TGI Fridays, and Ground Round are destroying individuality, and a bunch of other topics rock and rap are too self-absorbed to deal with. They range from crunchy, thumping beats to the softest, sweetest melodies. If you can, see them live, although that's easier the closer you get to NYC. Babe the Blue Ox deserves your money and attention.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A timeless, Under stated rated Band., October 7, 2004

By	The Who? - See all my reviews

Finally something refreshingly fun!
From start to finish just a boat load o' fun. Babe isn't afraid to take the chance and be on the the edge of distruction! Of special note any of the "Train" songs. There is a heaping helping of TONE For all you rockers. Simple and fun! If only this was the Band everyone was trying to copy, we would all be a lot better off.