fine young cannibals: underrated

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Well, he was playing bass for a reasonably successful band at the time. That's a pretty decent reason to be smug, I'd say.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 20:59 (9 years ago) Permalink

Huh? None of them were working with Derrick May.

OK I misunderstood you. I thought you were talking about the adoption of acid house styles (909 beats and acid synths) in pop. I didn't realise you meant something so specific. But the million selling thing has nothing to do with it (or at least nothing to do with your original claim..that they were ahead of their time).

― David (David), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 21:03 (9 years ago) Permalink

I see what you're saying, David, but still ... FYC essentially sold millions of copies of a techno song (on their hit album) years before anyone tried to hype that music to the general public (heh, pun intended just a little). And it still sounds damn good even today (as does a lot of classic-sounding Detroit techno no matter what year it was made).
But I certainly wouldn't call them pioneers, so yes, they're not ahead of their time in that sense.

― Barry Bruner (Barry Bruner), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 22:35 (9 years ago) Permalink

I have the seven-inch of 'She Drives Me Crazy'. I only play it using a hole I drilled through it about an inch or two from the centre, so it speeds up and slows down. The riff at the start sounds hilarious.

― Sasha (sgh), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 22:50 (9 years ago) Permalink

So what the hell is Roland Gift up to these days?

― donut bitch (donut), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 22:52 (9 years ago) Permalink

i am kind of amazed this has gotten to 50 posts

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 22:55 (9 years ago) Permalink

Raw & The Cooked is the first CD I ever got (mainly because the video for "She Drives Me Crazy" was really weird). I love the Buzzcocks cover even more than I did then because I know who the Buzzcocks are now, and "I'm Not The Man I Used To Be" is just gorgeous. I definitely think there's some filler, but its a solid album.

I don't think the album is underrated though. All the music guides I have give it high marks. The '92 RS album guide gives it four and a half stars and the MusicHound guide might have even given it five.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 22:57 (9 years ago) Permalink

now, Cosmic Thing is underrated.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 22:59 (9 years ago) Permalink

My first exposure to the band was that song "Johnny Come Home" and their more dancey cover of Buzzcock's "Ever Fallen In Love" from the Something Wild soundtrack... "She Drives Me Crazy" never really, ur, drove me crazy, because it was pretty derivative of most 80s pop dance productions at the time and seemed less original than the Cannibals I was introduced to.

I won't deny the song's catchiness. I like the song far more than "Good Thing" which makes me get all Alex In NYC all over the place... on the other hand, the acid house track on The Raw And The Cooked slays "She Drives Me Crazy".

― donut bitch (donut), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 23:01 (9 years ago) Permalink

I'll admit "Good Thing" has not aged well for me. "Don't Look Back" sounds great though.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 23:04 (9 years ago) Permalink

I've gotten more than one google hit on my site from people looking for info about Puff Daddy's presence in the "Man I Used To Be" video.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 23:05 (9 years ago) Permalink

I like the song far more than "Good Thing" which makes me get all Alex In NYC all over the place

I'm afraid to ask what that's supposed to mean.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 6 April 2004 23:45 (9 years ago) Permalink

One of those bands that I never minded hearing the singles or seeing the videos for but who I could never get interested enough to buy the albums for. And somehow that seems just.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 00:42 (9 years ago) Permalink

"Johnny Come Home" was a great single, and then it all quickly went pear-shaped

― Donna Brown (Donna Brown), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 02:51 (9 years ago) Permalink

Two brilliant albums. The only thing they could do was breakup after that, and I commend them for doing so.

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 03:57 (9 years ago) Permalink

But The Raw and the Remixed!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 04:01 (9 years ago) Permalink

I'm afraid to ask what that's supposed to mean.

Don't be afraid. it was meant as a compliment. More specifically, a directed vortex of well-phrased verbal rage.

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 04:33 (9 years ago) Permalink

i can't listen to "she drives me crazy" without wanting to rip my ears off.

― J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 06:35 (9 years ago) Permalink

try drilling a hole in it about an inch or two from the centre

― that's MR. sanchez to you (mokey), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 14:07 (9 years ago) Permalink

Actually, a strategic hole at about 3.25" will probably do the trick for most people.

― NickB (NickB), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 14:12 (9 years ago) Permalink

I agree with Strongo: underrated. "I'm Not The Man I Used To Be" is particularly good wimp-soul. I have a sneaking fondness for "Blue" too and its ham-fisted political metaphor, it seemed kind of subtle to me when I was 12.

― Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 14:13 (9 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

i still have their records on cassette!

they had one of the best motown pastiches ever. the rhythm section--i.e. the same rhythm section as the (english) beat--was fucking great. the vocalist gets points for not sounding like anyone else, ever.

― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Saturday, 7 May 2005 01:15 (8 years ago) Permalink

That first record still feels like thick, humid summer nights where you can taste the ocean in the air and hormones runneth amuck.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 7 May 2005 02:27 (8 years ago) Permalink

Who plays the piano on "Good Thing"? THAT guy can fucking play!

― Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Saturday, 7 May 2005 03:08 (8 years ago) Permalink

Stringo and Amatrist otm

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Saturday, 7 May 2005 03:21 (8 years ago) Permalink

> Who else hated that bass player's dance?

Memorably described in Smash Hits magazine at the time as resembling "a headless chicken being electrocuted underwater".

― Palomino (Palomino), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:56 (8 years ago) Permalink

I'm still astonished that "The RAw & the Cooked" was number one for several weeks and produced two number one singles during the blandest, most reactionary Top 40 period in years (spring '89).

I still love, love, love the Buzzcocks and Elvis covers. "Don't Look Back" sparkles like it's the kid sister of the Beat's "Best Friend."

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 7 May 2005 18:45 (8 years ago) Permalink

I don't remember it being that bland and reactionary ("Hangin' Tough" might be bad, but reactionary? Donnie's shirt said HOMEBOY! Don't forget the B-52's and Rhythm Nation 1814 and lots of new jack and all kinds of neat stuff but then I dunno what specific season of '89 I was hearing this stuff), but then that was the time I first started really paying attention to music so the novelty was pretty inherent for me (BATDANCE, yo!). I threw on Raw & The Cooked last night and I have to admit a lot of the album tracks are tinny as fuck. I probably like "I'm Not The Man I Used To Be" and "Don't Look Back" as much as I did when I first got the CD.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 18:57 (8 years ago) Permalink

The "Rhythm Nation" stuff came out later in the year; and the good New Kids stuff and Prince's Batman soundtrack came out over the summer. Until Madonna's "Like a Prayer," the Cannibals and (alright, fine) the Bobby Brown-led new jack swing stuff was the only thing of interest between, say, February and April '89.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:00 (8 years ago) Permalink

yeah the specific months of hits from my prepubescence MTV fanhood is kinda foggy.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:06 (8 years ago) Permalink

my post sounds a bit persnickety, rereading it.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:10 (8 years ago) Permalink

haha it's ok! I wish I knew the succession of hits better myself. I didn't buy Green, my first self-purchased CD, until a year after it was out.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:10 (8 years ago) Permalink

I was thinking I should have put "Blue" on my political CD.

― Tom (Groke), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:18 (8 years ago) Permalink

What WAS on the charts in early 89. Donny Osmond's George Michael rip "Soldier of Love," I think.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:31 (8 years ago) Permalink

Milli Vanilli

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:37 (8 years ago) Permalink

well at least their album debuted that March

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:38 (8 years ago) Permalink

hey REM's "Stand"!

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:40 (8 years ago) Permalink

#1 Song on Billboard’s Modern Rock Chart, February 4th, 1989: “Stand” by R.E.M.

went top ten pop too so I have to assume it was around the same time.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:41 (8 years ago) Permalink

From a billboard pop charts list of the biggest hits of 1989:

STRAIGHT UP Paula Abdul (Virgin) (#1, Feb)
GIRL YOU KNOW IT'S TRUE Milli Vanelli (Arista) (#2, April) LOST IN YOUR EYES Debbie Gibson (Atlantic) (#1, March)
THE LOOK Roxette (EMI) (#1, April)
*SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY Fine Young Cannibals (I.R.S.) (#1, April)
LIKE A PRAYER Madonna (Sire) (#1, April)
THE LIVING YEARS Mike + the Mechanics (Atlantic) (#1, March)
ETERNAL FLAME The Bangles (Columbia) (#1, April)
WILD THING Tone Loc (Delicious Vinyl) (#2, Feb)
WHEN I'M WITH YOU Sheriff (Capitol) (#1, Feb)
BORN TO BE MY BABY Bon Jovi (Mercury) (#3, Feb)
MY HEART CAN'T TELL YOU NO Rod Stewart (Warner Brothers) (#4, April)
YOU GOT IT (The Right Stuff) The New Kids On the Block (Columbia) (#3, March)
WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY White Lion (Atlantic) (#3, Feb)
THE WAY YOU LOVE ME Karyn White (Warner Brothers) (#7, Feb)
FUNKY COLD MEDINA Tone Loc (Delicious Vinyl) (#3, April)
STAND R.E.M. (Warner Brothers) (#6, April)
ALL THIS TIME Tiffany (MCA) (#6, Feb)
RONI Bobby Brown (MCA) (#3, March)
WHAT I AM Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians (Geffen) (#7, March)
PARADISE CITY Guns N' Roses (Geffen) (#5, March)
I WANNA HAVE SOME FUN Samantha Fox (Jive) (#8, Feb)
SHE WANTS TO DANCE WITH ME Rick Astley (RCA) (#6, Feb) DREAMIN' Vanessa Williams (Wing) (#8, April)
HEAVEN HELP ME Deon Estus (with George Michael) (Mika) (#5, April)
SURRENDER TO ME
Ann Wilson and Robin Zander (Capitol) (#6, March)

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:46 (8 years ago) Permalink

I believe that's their chart peak and the month of it. from this site

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:47 (8 years ago) Permalink

I didn't know "Stand" was that big.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:51 (8 years ago) Permalink

their SECOND top ten pop hit dude!

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:52 (8 years ago) Permalink

yeah I knew "The One I Love" was top 10.

But come to think of it, I think "Stand" was MTV's #5 or #6 video of 1989, so top ten status shouldn't be that surprising.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:53 (8 years ago) Permalink

I'd like to look back at my favorite acts at the time (B-52's, REM, Prince, Fine Young Cannibals) and pat myself on the back for digging respected, interesting artists rather than NKOTB or whoever but I realize now the true connection between all of them is videos involving eccentric dancing.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:59 (8 years ago) Permalink

Rereading the list of hits you posted, Anthony, I'm struck again by how friggin' gross most of those songs are.

(I bought "Stand" on 45! I thought I was so cool and alternative for being an REM fan!)

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 7 May 2005 20:21 (8 years ago) Permalink

Ned: I remember "Soldier of Love" and Michael Damien's "Rock On" being on the charts at the same time: double dosage of TV stars!

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 7 May 2005 20:23 (8 years ago) Permalink

(1) A lot of those songs are pretty good!

(2) I presume the Mike/Mechanics single was crap, but I don't remember it.

(3) Who were Sheriff?

(4) I think NKOTB are better in memory than if I actually had to hear them again. I used to make fun of a girl named Caitlin who liked horses and NKOTB. Sorry, Caitlin.

(5) "When the Children Cry" is a kitsch classic. My college roommate grew up down the street from White Lion's lead guitarist.

(6) OMG Karyn White!

(7) Is it time to revisit J0hn Darnie11e's Rick Astley story?

(8) "Deon Estus"?

(9) Ann Wilson and Robin Zander WTF?!

― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Saturday, 7 May 2005 21:20 (8 years ago) Permalink

(10) GNR, Milli Vanelli, and FYC obviously the best things on there. (I like Madonna, but not that particular record so much.)

― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Saturday, 7 May 2005 21:21 (8 years ago) Permalink

(11) I thoroughly enjoy the first Tiffany LP.

― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Saturday, 7 May 2005 21:22 (8 years ago) Permalink

For some reason I thought "Heaven Help Me" was by Maxi Priest but hey I remember the chorus hook more than the dude.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 21:41 (8 years ago) Permalink

Skipping 50 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

It's a tragedy that this song has more or less fallen into obscurity when it should've been, like, the biggest single of that year and on the radio for years to come:

Also:

i wonder if i will always be obsessed with pop music from 1987-1992

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, April 6, 2004 2:53 PM (8 years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Cosigning as hard as I can. The only era that's any competition for '70s AM gold in my heart.

― You Don't Throw Oranges On An Escalator (Deric W. Haircare), Monday, 7 May 2012 05:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

I remember making my dad listen to The Raw and The Cooked when we were driving somewhere and that's when he explained to me what falsetto was. Good album, but also educational.

― Johnny Fever, Monday, 7 May 2012 05:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

And the videos were super instructive on the Kubrick stare. Educational band all 'round.

― You Don't Throw Oranges On An Escalator (Deric W. Haircare), Monday, 7 May 2012 13:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

god, "Don't Look Back"

― The Screaming Lobster of Challops (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, February 10, 2009

― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 7 May 2012 13:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

It peaked at #11 in the States but it's better than "Good Thing." Not many bands stapling 12-string Beat guitar and sequencers in 1989's top 40.

― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 7 May 2012 13:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

So I just went ahead and made this happen:

Forgotten late-'80s/early-'90s pop singles

― You Don't Throw Oranges On An Escalator (Deric W. Haircare), Monday, 7 May 2012 13:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

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