Absolutely brilliant
robert | australia | 03/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I only discovered how good hunters & collectors were after the fact. I was aware of their late 80s and early 90s commercial hits and had heard one or two earlier tracks like Talking to a Stranger, but I wasn't aware of just how innovative, uncompromising and "out there" they originally were... until I bought this 2nd hand in the mid 1990s. This first album has aspects of new wave, goth-rock, industrial and is very tribal. Heavy bass, clanging percussion, emotive howls, cool lyrics and croons.... It's one of my all time favourite albums - in the top 5. Very soulful in a quirky, offbeat way.
If you're into something heavier, punkier, more berserk and demented, then check out their brilliant second album - The Fireman's Curse. It's very similar to Birthday Party. Their 3rd album, Jaws of Life (1984) evolves that raucous style into something a little bit more conventional. Their 1986 album Human Frailty still has a bit of an edge to it, though it was the bridge to a subsequent commercial sound. It's there that I largely lose interest apart from 1 or 2 tracks.
Hunters are one of those bands whose awesome, crazy, innovative early work, has been obscured by their later, often mediocre, commercial pop-rock hits."
Say WHAT ? So, ya changed songs around in hindsight ?
C. J. Van Hall | Arnhem, The Netherlands | 03/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First: I was in the happy situation to land in Melbourne when things started to heat up there. Early 1982: Talking to a Stranger (who wasn't for me, as I was a newby there). Saw the video on tv, and thought it was great. Saw them live, thought they were even greater. Met them in person, and they were real good guys. How can you lose... They talked me into the band 'Can' aswell, so my Melbourne residency started out Super, with bands around like The Birthday Party, Plays with Marionettes (with Hugo Race and Nick Seymour) The Models, Deckchairs Overboard, SPK and so much more.
Great songs next to 'Stranger' are Tow Truck, Droptank, Lumps of Lead, Scream Who, Run Run Run (really hypnotic, especially live !). But then again...my old fashioned album only carries: Towtruck, Droptank, Mouthtrap, Lumps of Lead. Talking to a Stranger, Scream Who, Run Run Run (Pogo in Bogota ;-) ) I have troubles with common rockbands, and this H&C isn't. I've read things like tribal funk, and a rougher on the edges Shriekback. Yes, that'll suit this album's Hunnas fine. No mediocrity, but full on rhythmic funk-blast pleasure ! But I'm talking album and NO CD here. What do I read here ?? They try to change the first album to Yaz and easy listening pop in hindsight? Probably lost their intensity along the way. My advice ? Buy the first record as in album. Reminds me of a question that Mark Seymour popped up after a gig in '82: Are all bassplayer [this] aggressive. Answer: Yesss, at least they should...when you're a real 'Hunna'."
Just to Set the Record Straight
Warren BONES | Sydney | 05/26/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"To correct C. J. Van Hall's comments, this CD contains the first album in its entirety, with all the tracks in the same order as the original release, plus an early 12" EP at the end. I should also mention that the rest of his comments are spot-on concerning the style and power of early-model "Hunnas". Several members left after "The Fireman's Curse" and, sadly, the band stopped playing this older material by the time I first saw them live. Pity, I heard from friends that it was an awesome experience."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1