If the Beatles had never had a hit single, their careers might have resembled NRBQ's. NRBQ is the indefatigably tuneful if willfully unclassifiable and slightly demented underground pop group's first full-fledged studio al... more »bum since guitarist Al Anderson departed for Nashville's presumably greener pastures in the mid-'90s. He's been replaced by Johnny Spampinato, younger brother of founding bassist, Joey Spampinato. The Spam brothers and pianist/cofounder Terry Adams take up the slack with an unpretentious, enjoyable program that showcases the band's penchant for pure power pop ("Sail On Sail On," "Pain," "Take Me to Your Secret," "Blame It On the World") and goofball humor ("Housekeeping," "Birdman," "I Want My Mommy"). OK, so it ain't the second coming of Rubber Soul, but the Fab Four never had more fun than these perpetual adolescents do. -Rick Mitchell« less
If the Beatles had never had a hit single, their careers might have resembled NRBQ's. NRBQ is the indefatigably tuneful if willfully unclassifiable and slightly demented underground pop group's first full-fledged studio album since guitarist Al Anderson departed for Nashville's presumably greener pastures in the mid-'90s. He's been replaced by Johnny Spampinato, younger brother of founding bassist, Joey Spampinato. The Spam brothers and pianist/cofounder Terry Adams take up the slack with an unpretentious, enjoyable program that showcases the band's penchant for pure power pop ("Sail On Sail On," "Pain," "Take Me to Your Secret," "Blame It On the World") and goofball humor ("Housekeeping," "Birdman," "I Want My Mommy"). OK, so it ain't the second coming of Rubber Soul, but the Fab Four never had more fun than these perpetual adolescents do. -Rick Mitchell
If you're an NRBQ fan buy it,listen at least three times...
10/21/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ah yes...the tacky cover art...a studio release...does it measure up? Definitely. "Ain't No Horse" should replace "I believe I can fly" in every school in the US: "Ain't no sea can't be crossed, ain't no ship can't be lost"..."Housekeeping" will instantly appeal to any traveller with an 'off' schedule..."Breakaway..." is every dreamers anthem. Of course there's the usual annoying track that seems insurmountable..I'm still skipping "CM Pups". Then again, I initially hated "Immortal" on Wild Weekend. No accounting for taste...;-)"
NRBQ does it again.
10/03/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this CD and have been playing it over and over again. It's so funny because most CD's I buy just don't warrent this much attention. But these songs and their attitude behind them just make me have to listen to them. That has always been the NRBQ magic. I miss the three songwriter, singer format they had with Big Al, but I love Johnny's more subtle tasty guitar licks. "Take Me to Your Secret", "Puddin Truck" "Blame it on the World" "Breakaway to My Dreams" "Housekeeping" , the whole album just screams greatness. NRBQ is an experience, not just another boring contrived CD. Go expose yourself to this great band."
Uncategorizable and Wonderful
Michael J Edelman | Huntington Woods, MI USA | 03/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's impossible to summarize, or even categorize any NRBQ album- let alone the band itself. This disc has more variety in 15 cuts than most bands do in their entire careers. There's the brief bit of "Birdland" inspired vocal jazz in "Birdman", a poppy, almost Chicago-esque ballad of love lost in "Sail On, Sail On", the bizarre "CM Pups" (which turns an old joke into inspired musical lunacy), the tight harmony and cool changes in "Blame It On The Word".. every song is different, and every song in brilliantly done. In an age of manufactured stars, sound-alike singers and trends that lost a few years, NRBQ are still one of the tightest, and most orginal groups on the planet. Can you tell I really, really like this album?"
Perfect Latter Day 'Q
Bradley F. Smith | Miami Beach, FL | 02/10/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This best captures the current sound and lineup of today's NRBQ, a band with a looooong history. Songs like "Blame It On the World" and "Sail On, Sail On" contain exquisite hooks and show why these guys are some of music's best songwriters, even without the great writer Al Anderson on guitar. There's the usual crazy humor. Who else could write songs about hotel housekeeping and termites and make them hummable, besides being great? One or two tunes go over the top: "I Want My Mama." But they're just Terry being Terry. This guy is a fab musician who could keep up with Thelonious Monk if he had wanted to. Fill out your Q collection with this overlooked little gem."
Worth the wait, welcome bro Johnny
Howard S. Finkel | MAPLEWOOD, NJ USA | 09/16/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Another great record from the best rock and roll band playing today. This ones got great pop tunes (Sail on), great jams (Housekeeping) and great madness (I want my Mommy). The only thing thats missing is any lead vocals from brother Johnny. Cmon you let him co-write but he's also got a great rock and roll voice, let em sing (dont make him save all his vocals for Incredible Casual recordings). One of the great things about NRBQ (and theres a lot of great things), is they have 3 lead singers (like the Fabs) so you get variety in style. I miss Al Anderson but i'd miss him less if you gave Johnny a chance to shine a little more. All in all aside from my petty complaint, it's a great album guys, live to a 1000."