A Madchester Marvel
Thomas Horan | Chapel Hill, NC | 04/17/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This debut album of fun, irreverent dance music is unique because the songs are based on jangly guitar riffs rather than synthesizers and drum machines. Happy Mondays' reliance on keyboards and electronic beats would increase over the next few albums. But here the band, as captured by the legendary John Cale, offer a refreshing alternative to the ultra-slick, over-produced sound of most late eighties pop music. The lyrics are crass, sly, and at times nonsensical, but somehow always endearing. Even though the songs (apart from Russell and Cob 20) have a lot of charm, Shaun Ryder's wildly uneven and unprofessional vocal delivery won't appeal to everyone. In fact, you'll probably either love or hate his approach, but that's part of what made the Mondays so special. Bez, House music, and the Madchester scene were just around the corner, but this really was the record that started it all!"
One of the most important albums ever made
johnnymoped2003 | cincinnati, ohio United States | 12/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Even if you don't like rave or dance music, you will love this album. The lyrics are dark the music infectious. Without a doubt, Shaun Ryder on his best day rivals Blake on his average days. There really is nothing to compare it to as the Mondays created a genre all their own. This album is what every 80's alt-pop band wanted to be but could not. I listened to this album and ended up buying the entire Mondays collection (Including Yes, Please and even a Black Grape album). The first three Mondays albums are by far the best."
Ryder at his best.
G. B. Ott | Wilmington / Ithaca | 07/07/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"John Cale had his hand in the production of this album... I remember the day I purchased it - and that was a very long time ago. I have the super rare white cover version... I still love this CD... Whenever I play this, people want to borrow it - I never let them - because it was so hard to get or out of print for a while... It remains one of my most special CD's and I never really stopped listening to it.
If you enjoy or collect music from this "genre" then this is really a "must have" album for you. I wouldn't say that it "started it all" but it was in the mix... Ryder was at his best and provides real energy here-Another thing I really like about this album are the bass lines...
It's groovy, delicious and hard to put down. I also recommend Pills + Thrills and Bellyaches and the Black Grape album: It's Great When You're Straight...Yeah."
