Search - Blow Monkeys :: She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter

The Slowly Evolving Dr. Robert

Christian Buckley | Washington State, United States | 11/17/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The 3rd full album from the Blow Monkeys (following Limping for a Generation and Animal Magic and an EP), saw some ever so slight changes in musical direction for Dr. Robert, pushing him into what I view as a more mainstream sound. Blow Monkeys were always this moody, edgy, alt jazz band that nobody seemed to understand. I don't know -- SWOaGD seems to me to be a concerted effort to get more mainstream play. Don't get me wrong - there are some wonderful songs on this album, especially the main single 'It Doesn't Have to Be This Way' with a remix and a dub, entitled 'Grantham Grizzler'. The song 'Cash' is a bit more raw and is my fave, but it might be more at home on their first album. Overall, a fun album, but the last good album of theirs, I'm sad to say."

New Mix for an Old Favorite

MyRecords | Rochester, NY United States | 11/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I owned the original CD of "She was only a Grocer's daughter." I purchased this one because it contains two tracks not included on the original CD - (Sweet Murder, and the Celebrate- Unity Mix). Sweet Murder dates back to the "Animal Magic" days, and different mixes of it can be found on that album and the vinyl and cassette only EP, "Forbidden Fruit." The Unity Mix of Celebrate seems somewhat similar to the "Paul Weller Mix" of the same song, found on the "for the record" compilation (the best of MANY compilations).
Now - I have only listened to the intro's to all of the songs, but i was VERY pleasently surprised to hear that this album contains some (subtley) differnet mixes from the original album! Not all are different from what I can tell, but more of them are different then are the same! So, if you already own this album, and are looking for a fresh spin, by all means get this CD - Just make sure it is the 2002 release.
Sadly, they did not include the full liner notes found in the european CD, but just included a folded insert with some pics.
As for the Music? This is great album, The best album they released in the States, and is rivaled only by the difficult to find "Whoops! There goes the Neighborhood." This is Doctor Robert's Rant against Thatcherite Britain of the mid 1980's. It contains scathing lyrics and bitter humor, all set to a luscious arrangement of brass and strings . . . . and blue-eyed, british Funk! The album title itself refers to Thatcher, as do the Song titles "Out with Her" and "(Celebrate the Day) After You. - which was banned in Britain! Curtis Mayfield guests on Celebrate, lending some credibility to an 80's pop band. The Songs are great, almost all of them are strong, and despite the anti-thatcher lyrics, the album lifts your spirits as the songs are almost all upbeat.
Now, as for similarities? This band hands down wanted to be the Style Council, as Dr. Robert wanted to be, and still wants to be, Paul Weller. Is it a coincidence that this album came out two years after TSC's "our favourite Shop featuring the song: "She was only a shopkeeper's daughter." In my opinion, however, for shear listening enjoyment and smart lyrics, The Blow Monkeys surpased the Style Council with many of their efforts.
Finally, though this album may have seemed dated for a while, it's relevance is once again becoming apparent. After all, lyrics like "You can send your sons away, to fight for the money-makers, but the only money made, belongs to the undertakers" is perhaps even more relevant today than it was 15 years ago. Brilliant."