Full title, 'You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone'. Mid-price reissue of 1993 compilation featuring early singles tracks. 11 tracks, 'Who Do You Think You Are?', 'Archway People', 'California Snow Story', 'Kiss And Make ... more »Up', 'Duke Duvet', 'Filthy', 'Joi« less
Full title, 'You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone'. Mid-price reissue of 1993 compilation featuring early singles tracks. 11 tracks, 'Who Do You Think You Are?', 'Archway People', 'California Snow Story', 'Kiss And Make Up', 'Duke Duvet', 'Filthy', 'Joi
"This import is a compilation of some of the best S.E. stuff their is ! If you enjoy it you should invest in their first album Foxbase Alpha. This comp is from alot of EP's that are often hard to get. Other Saint Etienne like bands are Cola Boy and Oval........Enjoy!!!!"
Better than "Foxbase Alpha"
E. MCCORD | NYC | 02/24/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Although still a lot of fun in their own way, the early Saint Etienne albums sound pretty dated now (almost embarrassingly so at times), which is always a problem with dance music. However, this compilation is a very solid selection of some of Saint Etienne's earlier singles and B-sides, most of which you can't find on their albums. "Who Do You Think You Are" is just as memorable as the classic "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," and other excellent tracks like "Paper" and "Some Place Else" allude to the more recent super-catchy indie-pop songs that the group focused on more in their later years on "Good Humor" and their best LP so far, "Sound of Water." Even if you prefer Saint Etienne's pop songs to their dancier stuff, this is still well worth checking out if you can find a copy. It's better material than what you'll find on "Foxbase Alpha," so you'll find yourself humming along with the music more than cringing at how stale it may sound."
Beautiful.
M. Williams | 04/22/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Every Saint Etienne release contains at least three perfectly misty moments-- those perfect-pop songs that are so lush, rhythmic, and real that you can't help but dance with tears in your eyes... "Mess" is no different, with the standout tracks being "Archway People" and "People get Real," as well as the defiantly funky trip-hop of "Filthy" and the bassy sass of "Kiss And Make Up." It's the stand-out post-mod ballads "Paper" and "Some Place Else," however, that place lead singer Sarah Cracknell in the perf-pop pantheon. A must have for anyone who loves pop music!!"
Odds and Ends.
M. Williams | Texas, USA | 10/29/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I happend to stumble onto this import in my local record store in the "used" section believe it or not. If you haven't collected all the Saint Etienne albums this is a good sampler of some of their pre-Good Humor stuff. I have heard a few of these track before (i.e Fox Base Alpha, and So Tough), but a few where new to me and they turned out to be pretty good.Most of the album's content still have the House/hip-hop sound circa F.B.A and S.T. If you feel like listening to their earlier work (which I often do) pop this record on and you will not be disappointed. Although it dose not replace their first three releases, it's a good "Best Of" from Saint Etienne's past."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
