So... The new album then... well? - Expect Spoilers.

[MikeH]

One thing though - does anyone else listen to New Flesh and keep expecting Ginger to suddenly start singing "We didn't start the fire...."?

Yeah

That's a relief - thought I was going peculiar!

[Jon_P]

I really wanted to love this album but after about 10 listens I only think there are 3 or 4 standout tracks; I dont think this rates anywhere near my top 3 ginger related releases...... infact I dont think it would even reach the top 5. I know i'm going against the grain here but other than bi-polar baby, new flesh, inter city overtuire and maybe 1 or 2 others I think its distinctly average!

[horrid_jon]

I really wanted to love this album but after about 10 listens I only think there are 3 or 4 standout tracks; I dont think this rates anywhere near my top 3 ginger related releases...... infact I dont think it would even reach the top 5. I know i'm going against the grain here but other than bi-polar baby, new flesh, inter city overtuire and maybe 1 or 2 others I think its distinctly average!

So.. apart from 50% of the album tracklisting it's distinctly average? Making 50% of it above average?

Sorry... couldn't resist... just got it today and am loving the FFL-type sound of it.

[Robdj]

I really wanted to love this album but after about 10 listens I only think there are 3 or 4 standout tracks; I dont think this rates anywhere near my top 3 ginger related releases...... infact I dont think it would even reach the top 5. I know i'm going against the grain here but other than bi-polar baby, new flesh, inter city overtuire and maybe 1 or 2 others I think its distinctly average!

Generally agree with most of this. A lot of average stuff that hasn't grabbed me.

[geordierussell]

I really wanted to love this album but after about 10 listens I only think there are 3 or 4 standout tracks; I dont think this rates anywhere near my top 3 ginger related releases...... infact I dont think it would even reach the top 5. I know i'm going against the grain here but other than bi-polar baby, new flesh, inter city overtuire and maybe 1 or 2 others I think its distinctly average!

Not bitter at all are we....

Having said that, the more I listen, the more I agree.

[Ean]

However.....I really, really wish that the Wildhearts would put as much effort into the UK releases as they do into the Japanese versions. I'm tired of the scratty-looking booklets we seem to get in the UK (without lyrics, grrrr) and the lack of the extra tracks that are present on the Japanese releases.

Sort it out, guys! You have fans in the UK as well, you know.

Content wise, the booklets are exactly the same in both releases and the UK version is actually slightly larger. The Japanese get a lyric sheet because on the whole, they're not an English speaking country - and even less fluent in Geordie I'd imagine, so they have a translation. We have the lyrics on the website.

There hasn't been a track on a Japanese WH album that wasn't either previously or subsequently available here. They get a couple of bonus tracks, we get an average of about twelve new B-sides (of which I'd imagine Oh Bonita will be one), seems a fair swap to me.

[Damian]

At the risk of breaking this current brief streak of negativity that has kicked into this thread, every time I hear this record it gets better. I think they've pulled off a masterpiece. I'm not going to say where it stands in the 'league table' after only listening to it for a few days, but I'll happily say it maintains the standard...

[Real Nowhere Man]

There is a classic Wildhearts single's-worth of material on the new album:
1. Bi-Polar Baby
2. New Flesh
3. The Revolution Will Be Televised
4. Inner City Overture

Those four tracks in that order are working splendidly for me.
The rest...all seems a bit "riff after riff after...yyyaawwwwn - ahem, excuse me, - motherfuckin' (awkward and dithering) riff" to me...

[michelle]

Just got the album today. Liking it so far but plenty of adjusting to it to do yet.

However.....I really, really wish that the Wildhearts would put as much effort into the UK releases as they do into the Japanese versions. I'm tired of the scratty-looking booklets we seem to get in the UK (without lyrics, grrrr) and the lack of the extra tracks that are present on the Japanese releases.

Sort it out, guys! You have fans in the UK as well, you know.

Huh? I'm not sure anyone in the Uk can bitch about crappy looking booklets, I'm sitting here in the US wondering what the album even sounds like. Hurumph!

[Ean]

Huh? I'm not sure anyone in the Uk can bitch about crappy looking booklets, I'm sitting here in the US wondering what the album even sounds like. Hurumph!

Amazon.com reckons it's out on May the 1st in the States?

[richyboy1981]

Well, im still trying to work out my opinion on this album. Its all im listening to at the moment, so that indicates that i love it. I love the return to riffiness, and there are some standout moments on Hard way, Monsters, Sweetsong and Rooting. I agree, that some of the riffage does go on for too long and, whereas in FFL it fitted naturally, in some of these songs it seems a bit forced, with not enough timing variation (which is my drug!). however, its rare that u get a band that can mix heaviness and melody like the WH do all over this album.

I agree that the record does sound slightly incohesive, and some cheeky blends between tracks might have gone down well. Im undecided about the mix also, which is more similar to recent ginger releases rather than previous WH stuff.

I also dont like the lack of chants in the backing vocals.

Having said that, these are minor gripes, and much of this record has already etched itself onto my brain.....

[michelle]

Huh? I'm not sure anyone in the Uk can bitch about crappy looking booklets, I'm sitting here in the US wondering what the album even sounds like. Hurumph!

Amazon.com reckons it's out on May the 1st in the States?

It's not that I can't buy it, but its SO much money. Who the hell has 30 bucks for a cd? I dont! I'm hoping that its released on itunes US so I can at least download it and wait for payday to come back around and buy the real thing. You Uk'ers are monumentally lucky!

[Nickinvincible]

I dunno if i've 'got' the album yet, but it has definitely 'got' me now....the riffs are in my head, the melodies pop into my brain at random points, the lyrics have wrapped themselves around some feelings...it just gets better and better for me. For me this is really growing into a strong body of work from the wildies, I'd definitely put it up there as their second best album after Earth vs I reckon.

There are so many ideas going on and it spins off in a million directions, yeah its heavy and riffy but then thats what all their best work has been....without a doubt their best album's work since 1995 and probably since 1993 for me.

I'd be happy if they played the whole album in order on the tour!

[pete]

Huh? I'm not sure anyone in the Uk can bitch about crappy looking booklets, I'm sitting here in the US wondering what the album even sounds like. Hurumph!

Amazon.com reckons it's out on May the 1st in the States?

It's not that I can't buy it, but its SO much money. Who the hell has 30 bucks for a cd? I dont! I'm hoping that its released on itunes US so I can at least download it and wait for payday to come back around and buy the real thing. You Uk'ers are monumentally lucky!

Try ordering it from Cargo records

joe@cargorecords.co.uk

[shadow]

I really wanted to love this album but after about 10 listens I only think there are 3 or 4 standout tracks; I dont think this rates anywhere near my top 3 ginger related releases...... infact I dont think it would even reach the top 5. I know i'm going against the grain here but other than bi-polar baby, new flesh, inter city overtuire and maybe 1 or 2 others I think its distinctly average!

[have to agree with jon.---why do wildies tend to be aggresive towards non-conformist opinions----and heres one----the wildhearts dont break down any barriers which is perhaps why they are not more widly lauded[/u][/b]