Joseph S. (hamsterdad) from GRANTS PASS, OR Reviewed on 11/27/2009...
This is an amazingly well crafted pop album. It is just a lot of fun because it is loaded with great songs that have singable hooks.
CD Reviews
Solid Power Pop from the early 90's
James C. Darling | Burbank, CA | 04/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this album Waaaaaayyyyy back in early 1991 when it was first released. And, although I haven't listened to it in a long time (I traded it in a while ago for some foolish reason that I can't fathom at the moment), all I remember is being blown away by how catchy EVERY track was. Of course "Valerie Loves Me" is great... and the fact that I had a major crush on a girl named Valerie, at the time of this album's original release, made it all the more memorable for me. But many other tracks like "The Very First Lie" are also excellent.My wish to re-purchase this CD has brought me to Amazon.com..... and this little customer review down memory lane. Find this CD and buy it, ASAP, if you are a fan of melodic power pop with attitude."
A Chicago classic
C. Smith | Chicago, IL United States | 09/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Material Issue may have been the best pure band out of the Chicago scene that spawned Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair, and Urge Overkill, among many others. It's great three minute, three chord rock and roll, wearing Jim Ellison's heart and influences on its sleeve. Contrary to one of the other reviews, MI did not disband. Ellison killed himself, a tragic loss for pop music. But that is not why to buy this album: buy it for the life that courses through Ellison's songs and his band's performances, not for the sad way his life ended."
DOESN'T THE ALBUM'S TITLE JUST SAY IT ALL?
M. Tillman | 10/01/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Never heard of these guys? Never heard "Valerie Loves Me"? Well, until recently, I hadn't either, but I'm so very glad I did. Not only is "Valerie.." a brilliantly catchy tune, the rest of this album is just as wonderful and infectuous; and for some reason, I just love the album cover as well. I also can't get enough of "This Far Before" the ultimate song for unrequited love. It's very tragic that Jim Ellison is no longer with us, because who knows how far this wonderful band could have gone? Buy this album. You won't regret it. It's also a wonderful CD to pop in if you have a long drive-the ultimate CD to sing at the top of your lungs while driving down that lonely road... of life..........."
This is one for the time capsule folks, a must have.
M. Tillman | Atlanta, GA USA | 07/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Influences (Cheap Trick, etc) aside, this album is filler free, which makes it better than anything previously put out by a power pop act. Thus this is the definitive power pop album of all time. It's a shame MI never got their just due. A power pop act in the midst of the over indulged 'grunge' movement sealed their fate. I saw them in Atlanta in '94 or '95 and remember I was 1 of maybe 50 people. That's the stupid ugly side of the music biz folks, be part of the new craze or be pushed aside. Nearly every song on this disc is memorable, with Very First Lie, Valerie..., and Crazy among the many gems on this album. Sadly, Material Issue's frontman and soul left us. I thank him for leaving us a part of him and hopefully many others will find their way to this much unheralded music."