Search - Julian Cope :: 20 Mothers

Julian Who?

Dokter Pogo | New Orleans, LA | 03/05/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was standing in front of the "C" bin of the used cd store, looking for anything that might interest me in the slightest. Then I saw a name that I recognized from an interview that I had recently read in a music mag. Cope. It rang a bell. Then I remembered reading about how insane he is, and me being a big Syd Barrett fan, the crazier, the better. I bought it and left. It took up until the 5th song for me to realize that I had been missing out on some great music for years. The arrangements in each song make you overlook the fact that music is actually very simple. Each song is a masterpiece in itself, and the hooks keep ringing in your head long after you've stopped listening. I was singing the song "Try Try Try" to myself one day, with that great chorus ("I can't get over you, but I try try try try..."),and it was literally IMPOSSIBLE to get it out of my head. Another favorite is "Highway To The Sun"...that simple bass line with those delicate chords over it...it's entrancing. "20 Mothers" taught me as a musician to just let whatever is in you come out...the best music is the most honest, and Julian Cope is one of the most honest I've ever heard. I can't believe that when I'm telling people about my favorite all-time songwriters, I always hear "Julian Who?""

HE'S MAD, I TELL YOU.....3.5 STARS

Scott T Mc Nally | ORLANDO, Fl USA | 05/12/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Julian Cope is indicative of my schitzophrenic muiscal tastes. I've been somewhat of a fan of his for over 20 years now. I say somewhat because his output though always interesting, has been very uneven over the years . On "20 Mothers" you get a mixed bag. Some of it is well produced while some suffers from almost no production at all. In my opinion his best work can be found on "Saint Julian"(1987) and "Peggy Suicide"(1991) as well as his work with The Teardrop Explodes from 1979-81. It's ironic that much of the material I just mentioned is not available anymore, except for some found on his "Floored Genius" compilation. All in all, there are some fine moments here. "Wheelbarrow Man" and "Senile Get" are fine examples of his off the wall humor that often earns him comparisons to Syd Barrett. "Try,Try,Try" shows his ability as a strightforward pop tunesmith who loves 60's style vocal harmonies. The harmonies toward the end of that particular tune remind me of The Turtles. Oh, I almost forgot the liner notes. They're very funny at times."

Outstanding Cope......

Schmaddio | 06/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Don't be fooled by the cheeseball cover this is one very good piece of music. Excellent use of effects throughout.... This should have been a huge seller but instead is a regular find in the bargain bin... and what a bargain it is."