Missing The Boat
P. Marino | NY | 06/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Or ferry cross the Hudson in this case. Whether or not you appreciate the live material included here or the new reworking of Bulrushes shouldn't be a reason to buy a different release of this classic. If your looking for the best version of the original songs on cd, this is the one to get. The original recordings were mastered for vinyl. This Special Edition has been remixed with a much stronger drum and bass presence. This being somewhat reminiscent to Cream's recordings where the bass and drums are given equal weight to the guitars and vocals. Certain Harbours (a unique mix of improv jazz and pop music), sounds better here than ever, and is right at home followed by Mingus or Coltrane's later experimental stuff. Not many pop bands have bridged that gap. This one did."
Lost 80's Classic
S. Finefrock | Raleigh, NC | 09/04/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had this on vinyl back in the early 80's and was happy to see it re-released on CD. The Bongos made a sparkling brand of power pop/new wave that lay somewhere between fellow New Jersey band the Feelies and Big Star. The new edition sounds great and comes with a brace of live tracks, that while nothing special, are pretty entertaining. The Bongos went on to release a pretty good EP (Numbers With Wings) and a follow up album (Beat Hotel) that failed to follow up on DRUMS ACROSS THE HUDSON due to overproduction and fewer top notch songs. 4 and 1/2 *'s."
Just Don't Get it For the Extras
Brian J. Greene | Durham, NC | 06/25/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Drums Along the Hudson is one of the 10 or 20 best albums of the 80s. It's probably one of the 100 best albums of all time. Perfect pop made by wild jungle boys. There's really nothing else like it. It is of the 80s, yet sound like something made in a vacuum, like the band members had shut themselves away from all the other music being made at the time and came out with this. I could go on and on, but if you are reading this you probably already know what a wonderful record this is. But my warning here is that, while it's great that this reissue has been released, if you're buying this CD simply for the extras, save your cash. The live stuff sounds like it was recorded from a cigar box, and "The Bulrushes 2007," mixed by Moby, is a joke. If you need this to get the original album on a CD, then go for it. Otherwise, forget it and move on."
Track Listings (26) - Disc #1