Search - Golden Palominos :: Visions of Excess

The first Indy "Supergroup"

01/11/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Visions of Excess hovered just below the mainstream in 1985 when college radio got a hold of this exciting collection of songs from the Golden Palominos. Michael Stipe had not reached the masses yet but had managed to release several stellar records with R.E.M on I.R.S. records. Boy (Go), Clustering Train, and Omaha gave Stipe a little breathing room to spread his wings outside of the R.E.M. mold. The other surprise star on Visions of Excess is vocalist/rocker/actor Syd Straw. Although commercial success still alludes her to this day, her contributions on this album were an indication of what was to come - possibly America's most exciting female singer. Buenos Aires shows just how Straw can shine with the right musicians behind her. Richard Thompson delivers the goods with several firey electric guitar solos weaving in and out of Straw's vocals. An electric tour followed the album's release to rave reviews across the US and Europe. This version's artwork is lacking in design and creativity but the same music is preserved as a document of one of the U.S.'s most exciting underground supergroups. For an even broader journey into the Golden Palomino's offerings, check out the follow up to this one: "Blast of Silence" - Syd Straw and Matthew Sweet's introduction to many fans. Who says the 1980's were lacking good rock and roll?"

The Golden Palominos, Mach II

Alan Caylow | USA | 08/29/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"1985's "Visions Of Excess" is the 2nd album for the Golden Palominos, the New York studio collective led by drummer Anton Fier, and it represents the first of many changes in musical direction for the group (they *never* deliver the same kind of album twice). The first time around, on their self-titled debut disc, the Palominos were a very out-there, avant-garde fusion group. For "Visions Of Excess," the group goes for a much more accessible, college-radio rock sound. The line-up this time includes not only Fier on drums but also Michael Stipe of REM, John Lydon of the Sex Pistols, Jack Bruce, Syd Straw, Richard Thompson, Bernie Worrell, and Carla Bley. Of the albums eight songs, standouts include the very catchy "Boy (Go)," with funky basslines by Bill Laswell and a great vocal by Stipe, the rockin' "Clustering Train," the punkish "The Animal Speaks" (with a classic punk vocal by Lydon---who else?), and the excellent songs "(Kind Of) True" and "Buenos Aires," both richly sung by Straw. But the Palominos haven't completely forgotten their original incarnation: the album concludes with the avant-garde "Only One Party," with guitar & lead vocals by Arto Lindsay, who was also featured on the first Palominos album. "Visions Of Excess" is a solid, excellent album for the ever-changing Golden Palominos."