Search - ed Kuepper :: Frontierland

Experimental - try these other albums

Neil Lawrie | Sydney Australia | 07/16/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Ed was yet again trying something different with this one and it does include some good stuff - but is a bit all over the place as an album; interestingly, the original "Frontierland" came packaged with a second disk called "Samplerland" which had a great mix of songs from previous albums.



For those new to Ed, try the greatest hits album "Butterfly Net". Alternatively, individual album recommendations include (in no particular order) "Everybody's Got To" (sounds a bit like Dylan's Blood on the Tracks), "Electrical Storm" (a classic), "Rooms of the Magnificent" (sparse), "Honey Steel's Gold" (mellow), "Black Ticket Day" (more commercial) and "StarStruck" (moody instrumentals).



... but most hard core fans would say that he did his best stuff with the Laughing Clowns in the early eighties. If you're up for some avant garde post-punk masterpieces visit the Hot records web site and start with either "History of Rock and Roll" or "Golden Days - When Giants Walked The Earth" to see what his reputation for being the "Godfather of Australian Indie music" was really based on.



Then as a challenge, see if you can get hold of a copy of the impossibly rare classic album "Mr Uddich Smuddich Goes to Town".

"

I Love Ed Kuepper, but not Disco

Randall E. Adams | Los Angeles, CA United States | 03/12/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I rate this a three and a half star release. I'm a new convert to Ed Kuepper, not having thought of exploring his solo work after many years of familiarity with the original Saints. Dumb me. He is an amazingly prolific writer whose music is a dream for any lover of guitar rock and pop. At his best he writes concise memorable and quite imaginative songs which he delivers in a voice vaguely reminiscent of Lloyd Cole. And while he does not sound remotely like him, Kuepper occasionally flashes a film noir sensibility a bit like Stan Ridgway.I find it puzzling that folks rate this particular album so highly. Fully four of the nine tracks are disco type numbers. Only one of those develops a good trance groove that I think will continue to age well, "Pushin' Fear II." For me, the other three are just filler. The backing credits include very little drums which means programmed rhythm. The three and a half stars are earned by the other tracks like the regal, mellotron-drenched psychedelia of "All of These Things," the catchy corn pone of "Fireman Joe," "How Would You Plead" sounding a bit like Dead Can Dance with a real guitarist, the amusing ersatz country blues "Rough Neck Blues" and the almost film music sound of "M.D.D.P. Limited." I assume this last track is a reference to 60's Australian band M.P.D. Limited. Plus I rate "Pushin' Fear" well. What I'm saying is that this is one half of a very good album. I'm still gathering Kuepper's records together, but at this point I'd direct any newcomer to "Character Assassination" or "Black Ticket Day" before this set. Or try one of the anthologies. I started out with "Sings His Greatest Hits for You" and I was hooked. As I write this, I have another 4 of his albums steaming their way to me from various directions. Ed Kuepper is definitely that good."

Ed Keupper is a genius & this is one of his best.

Ken Hutchison (khutchi@tpgi.com.au) | Brisbane, Australia | 06/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Originally a master of high powered electric guitar (as a member of the late '70's proto-punk band, The Saints) Ed Keupper routinely demonstrates his mastery of both electric and accoustic guitar. He writes beautiful and quirky songs. As with many true originals he also has an unusual singing voice, a voice which suits his songs (and this work) perfectly.Ed is reportedly particularly happy with this album and for very good reason. So many different stylistic approaches co-exist on this album and yet manage to fit together in a cohesive whole.One reviewer in Australia (Ed's place of birth) suggested that a public holiday should be declared on the strength of the song "All of these things".Others albums highly recommended (by me anyway) are "Character Assassination" and "Honey Steels Gold". Check him out - you'll be so glad you did."