Track listing
Show track credits
- A1 Missing the Boat 4:31
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Andy Boucherkeyboards
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vocals
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writer
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Team Esselleproducer
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- A2 Smash It Up, Part 4 3:24
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producer
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writer
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- A3 Toys Take Over 3:45
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vocals
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writer
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writer
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producer
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- A4 S.2. 2:41
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producer
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writer
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- A5 Riot on Eastbourne Pier 4:35
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Howard Turnerbacking vocals
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Paul Garybass
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drums
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producer
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writer
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- B1 Wake Up (You're Only Dreaming) 6:23
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Andy Boucherkeyboards
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producer
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writer
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- B2 Green Light 4:50
- B3 Lib 2/3 2:50
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producer
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writer
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- B4 Revolution Now 5:10
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The Soultanasbacking vocals
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writer
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writer
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producer
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- B5 Phone In 3:48
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writer
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producer
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writer
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- C1 I Get So Excited 4:47
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guitar
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writer
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producer
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Lincoln Gordonwriter
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- C2 Vosene 3:05
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Captain Stupidlead vocals
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producer
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writer
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Stupidwriter
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- C3 Kamikaze Millionaire 6:57
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backing vocals
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writer
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Howlin' Wilfharmonica
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producer
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writer
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- C4 Exploding Heads and Teapots (Past Their Prime) 4:05
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producer
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writer
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- D The Coward of Treason Cove 15:22
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Claire Gilliganvocals
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Fred Sensiblevocals
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vocals, writer
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producer
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writer
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- Total length: 76:13
Rate/Catalog
Catalog
Set listening
Review
To rate, slide your finger across the stars from left to right.
4 Issues
3 Reviews
This extremely versatile LP is all over the place, with virtually something for everyone, from light pop, to experimental avant-gard, to psych (yes, psych!). Obviously this makes for a very inconsistent, though extremely interesting album, overall. This one's worthy of investigation. Grades - 2 A-'s, 1 B+, 3 B's, 2 B-'s, 1 C+, 4 C's, and 2 C-'s.
Published
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This double album (single cd) was Sensible's artistic peak, up to that point. With minor help from old Damned bandmates Rat Scabies, Paul Gray and Henry Badowski, he comes up with many highly ambitious and serious numbers that are somewhat dependent on synthesizers, but the technology was then updated enough to make the sound feel far from what people were doing in the early Eighties. But since then...
His lyrical concerns still focus on anti-American rants involving capitalism and arrogance, and those stand out as time markers as well, such as on "The Kamikaze Millionaire," which recalls the days when only Rupert Murdoch - like figures owned cell phones. Cell phones the size of coffins.
Also, he scatters samples of American culture he seemingly disapproves of all throughout the album, including one bit where radio personalities Howard Stern and Robin Quivers can be heard discussing the pros and cons of applying horseradish sauce to genitalia. As a result, many Americans would not find the album appealing, despite some incredibly catchy melodies and hard beats. Also, he gets a little too preachy on the strident "Wake Up (You're Only Dreaming)."
The synthesizers and sequencers are backed up by many of his Hendrix-like guitar solos and real instruments from the aforementioned musical allies, which makes it all sound pleasant. Lyrical references to his 60's rock heroes are in abundance, too. The album closes with a 15 minute multi-part piece called "The Coward of Treason Cove." It starts out as a portrait of a well-hung bisexual prostitute named Steve, but the criticisms of him scattered intermittently throughout some great instrumental phases make very little sense, but this is the only time on the album where the lines do not make sense.
Some songs retain his previous silly sound/serious theme approach, like "The Toys Take Over." Others show him trying to expand, like on the Motown-like "Green Light."
All in all, a terrific effort. Like his previous band the Damned, however, this artist is caught in the ultimate catch-22. He'll be condemned for past pigeon-holed glories or crap, but many will never allow him to evolve as an artist, either. Appreciation will all have to depend on long-time fans or accidental newcomers. And the mix on this album is less than full-bodied, which gives the percussion a notable tinny weakness in spots. But there are plenty of impressive and catchy riffs here.
His lyrical concerns still focus on anti-American rants involving capitalism and arrogance, and those stand out as time markers as well, such as on "The Kamikaze Millionaire," which recalls the days when only Rupert Murdoch - like figures owned cell phones. Cell phones the size of coffins.
Also, he scatters samples of American culture he seemingly disapproves of all throughout the album, including one bit where radio personalities Howard Stern and Robin Quivers can be heard discussing the pros and cons of applying horseradish sauce to genitalia. As a result, many Americans would not find the album appealing, despite some incredibly catchy melodies and hard beats. Also, he gets a little too preachy on the strident "Wake Up (You're Only Dreaming)."
The synthesizers and sequencers are backed up by many of his Hendrix-like guitar solos and real instruments from the aforementioned musical allies, which makes it all sound pleasant. Lyrical references to his 60's rock heroes are in abundance, too. The album closes with a 15 minute multi-part piece called "The Coward of Treason Cove." It starts out as a portrait of a well-hung bisexual prostitute named Steve, but the criticisms of him scattered intermittently throughout some great instrumental phases make very little sense, but this is the only time on the album where the lines do not make sense.
Some songs retain his previous silly sound/serious theme approach, like "The Toys Take Over." Others show him trying to expand, like on the Motown-like "Green Light."
All in all, a terrific effort. Like his previous band the Damned, however, this artist is caught in the ultimate catch-22. He'll be condemned for past pigeon-holed glories or crap, but many will never allow him to evolve as an artist, either. Appreciation will all have to depend on long-time fans or accidental newcomers. And the mix on this album is less than full-bodied, which gives the percussion a notable tinny weakness in spots. But there are plenty of impressive and catchy riffs here.
Published
fantastic double album, miture of catchy pop tunes and some fabulous instrumental passages, almost techno in places.
Published
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Catalog
14 Oct 2023
18 Apr 2023
9 Dec 2021
19 Nov 2021
30 Sep 2021
3 Jun 2021
27 May 2021
-
A1
Missing the Boat
-
A2
Smash It Up, Part 4
-
A3
Toys Take Over
-
A4
S.2.
-
A5
Riot on Eastbourne Pier
-
B1
Wake Up (You're Only Dreaming)
-
B2
Green Light
-
B3
Lib 2/3
-
B4
Revolution Now
-
B5
Phone In
-
C1
I Get So Excited
-
C2
Vosene
-
C3
Kamikaze Millionaire
-
C4
Exploding Heads and Teapots (Past Their Prime)
-
D
The Coward of Treason Cove
7 Nov 2019
9 Sep 2019
-
A1
Missing the Boat
-
A2
Smash It Up, Part 4
-
A3
Toys Take Over
-
A4
S.2.
-
A5
Riot on Eastbourne Pier
-
B1
Wake Up (You're Only Dreaming)
-
B2
Green Light
-
B3
Lib 2/3
-
B4
Revolution Now
-
B5
Phone In
-
C1
I Get So Excited
-
C2
Vosene
-
C3
Kamikaze Millionaire
-
C4
Exploding Heads and Teapots (Past Their Prime)
-
D
The Coward of Treason Cove
13 Jul 2019
24 Apr 2018
19 Mar 2018
24 Jan 2018
17 Feb 2017
-
A1
Missing the Boat
-
A2
Smash It Up, Part 4
-
A3
Toys Take Over
-
A4
S.2.
-
A5
Riot on Eastbourne Pier
-
B1
Wake Up (You're Only Dreaming)
-
B2
Green Light
-
B3
Lib 2/3
-
B4
Revolution Now
-
B5
Phone In
-
C1
I Get So Excited
-
C2
Vosene
-
C3
Kamikaze Millionaire
-
C4
Exploding Heads and Teapots (Past Their Prime)
-
D
The Coward of Treason Cove
14 Jul 2016