Search - Candy :: Candy: Teenage Neon Jungle

Worthy of more than five stars...

Perry M. Koons | Crownsville, MD United States | 09/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WOW!! What else is there to say than that, this is a great, unexpected collection of Bay City Rollers-styled glam pop by a band that just never made it. Their only album "Whatever Happened To Fun" is far and away the best album of 1985, and only "American Kix" doesn't exist here in one form or another, which is a shame since that was one of the best tunes on the original album. Singer Kyle Vincent went on to tour with Barry Manilow and release some amazing solo albums, guitarist Gilby Clarke played with Guns N Roses, and bassist Jonathan Daniel and drummer John Schubert formed Electric Angels (good) and the Loveless (Great!). This album is totally worth snapping up for both the tunes and the great (if tough to read) liner notes. Best Tracks:
"Whatever Happened To Fun" - Not as good as the original but with heavier guitar and a longer outro - hilarious fadeout to a radio spot.
"The Girl I Love" - A never before heard demo that reminds of me of one of Tommy Dunbar (Kyle Vincent's buddy from the Rubinoos) songs. Should have made the 1st album!
"Champagne" - Would like to hear this redone with better production...Great chorus and pretty good lyrics too.
"Lonely Hearts" - Better than the original album version due to its high energy vocals and slightly faster tempo.
"Electric Nights" - Another one of my faves from the 1st album, this may have the worst chorus lyrics I've heard in awhile, but somehow its a sweet, catchy, moving, rousing anthem - A+.
"Sound Of A Broken Heart" - Another unreleased gem that should have made the album, this one has hooks galore.
"Daddy Is A Jet" - Candy's first demo with hilarious lyrics and better than expected production. Kyle's voice is already pretty good at a young age, and the chorus is a keeper.
"The Last Radio Show '03/'85 Live" - This may be my #1 track from the original album, and the new version is pretty good too. Bittersweet lyrics, stylistic changes that keep it fresh throughout its 6 1/2 minute length, and above all a soaring, simple chorus make this one of the absolute gems for pop fans.***The original album should be purchased in vinyl or cassette form if you can find it anywhere. It is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL."

THIS is what happened to fun!

Michael Milstein | Owings Mills, Maryland United States | 09/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Candy was the bastard child of the Bay City Rollers and Poison, all big hair, guitars and sugar-coated vocals. Chock full of New Wave/Power Pop nuggets, Teenage Neon Jungle is a must-have for fans of the early 80's L.A. sound. The liner notes alone are nearly worth the price of the disk. Now, where's that reissue of "Whatever Happened to Fun"?"