Great songs, shame about the production!
07/14/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Remember the old days, when Punk Rock bands played Punk Rock and we all knew where we were?No, of course you don't. Everyone sells out in the end don't they. Obvious exceptions are people like Crass and the like who bred inverse snobbery of the finest order before they disappeared up their own orifices.The Anti Nowhere League were the best Punk Rock band on the planet, and brought out what has to be one of the essential Punk Rock Albums ever in "We are the league".They also had a refreshing philosophy and attitude to life which came across in interviews with the band in their early days.Unfortunately, they decided that their direction of diversity lay in becoming the next U2/Big Country soft rock/pop sensations.......and didn't make it.Whether it was their original fans deserting them, or the fickle nature of the music industry which brought about their downfall, who knows. The only certain thing is that this album didn't sell very well at all when it was released.That really is a crying shame because it is a superb slice of 80s rock. Admittedly the meat cleaver guitar has been overshadowed by lilting keyboard strains, but the songs just go to show how clever and talented this band were. Hearing "Crime" and "Branded" played live by the reformed League in the 90s with loud guitars and no keyboards shows that a lot of the change on this album came from the mixing and production.Fans of 80s pop/rock will probably enjoy this album, but fans of the first album and the reformed band's new release "Scum" may find it a little clinical and overproduced."
A very underrated album, BUT READ MY WARNING!
Steve | Kenosha, WI | 09/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was the 2nd album the Anti-Nowhere League released and I find it to be very good. they sort of cleaned up their lyric ideas a little unlike "We Are.... The League," BUT!!! this album has went a different direction as the League tried to go in a 80's style music. If you liked the complimation from Captain Oi! (songs like out in the wasteland, on the waterfront, etc) then you might like this, however, for those that either liked the league but hated those songs might want to stay away or just getting into the league might want to start with "We are.... the league.""
Perfect crime? more like perfect album.
flower_dick_ | Ingleside, IL United States | 02/03/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Two words... PURE GENIUS!!!!
I must admit though that i hated it at first. I was expecting... well you know, an Anti-Nowhere League cd. But now, like 3 years after I originally bought it, I can truly appreciate the genius that is 'The Perfect Crime.' Just pretend like it's not Anti-Nowhere League, and everything will be ok. Now, for those of you who are too close minded to appreciate this album, I say "Shame on you. Shame to you and all you believe in," because this album kills me."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1