Picture courtesy of Dreadlocksmile.
| Value for Money | 9/10  |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | 10/10 |
Full review by
Dreadlocksmile
expert review 
on 9th Nov 2004
User Rating : 10
Respect :
0
Good Points: Twelve great tracks from the band, with some rarities that would have been difficult to get hold of if it wasn't for this CD.
Bad Points: Put together by Jeff Gillespie without the permission of the band, the legally avaliable CD doesn't put a single penny into the band's pocket. The album also includes a few tracks that were previously avaliable as B-Sides on the 'Red Light - Green Light' single.
General comments: Wildhearts, Landmines & Pantomimes - March of 1998 saw the sneaky release of the album 'Landmines & Pantomimes' by Kuro Neko Records. The CD is a collection of unfinished songs, bonus tracks and B-Sides which were compiled together by the band's nemesis Jeff Gillespie. Gillespie was the face behind the mistreatment of the band whilst they struggled with the label East West. Gillespie managed to release this album and the live compilation "Anarchic Airwaves" without the band's permission, yet entirely legally, and the band received no financial reward for their release. The album includes tracks that were recorded in June 1996, and since have only been available on the highly prized bootleg CD entitled "Sh***y F***in' Stupid Tracks" until the release of this album. Even though the CD made the songs legally available to fans for the first time, the band strongly urge people not to buy the record. Ginger claims that the songs are unfinished and aren't up to the usual high Wildhearts' standard.
The CD includes cover and inlay artwork by the talented artist Danny Deen (whose real name is Paul), who also did the artwork for the album P.H.U.Q and the Naivety Play promo CD. The inlay artwork is a cartoon drawing of a man having his anus held open which was originally meant for the P.H.U.Q. release but was deemed too obscene for the UK market, although the Japanese version is issued with this original artwork. The use of the artwork for the 'Landmines & Pantomimes' release is apparently unauthorized. The CD was also released in a limited edition tin case.
The track listing is as follows:
1. Abhoria
2. Velvet Presley
3. Stupid Things
4. Tom Take The Money
5. State Of Nondependence
6. Ride The Wave
7. Weekend '96
8. Beautiful Me, Beautiful You
9. Got It On Tuesday
10. Do Anything
11. The British All-American Homeboy Crowd
12. One Before The Lights Go Out
The first track 'Abhoria' is a rockin' little ditty of a tune, combining classic Wildhearts melodies with additive beats and a rather funky combination of riffs. Supposedly an unfinished track, 'Abhoria' sounds fantastic with clear, crisp vocals and well-rounded mixing. It's simply a great track. Running at 4mins 37sec, it offers a reasonable length to itself.
Next on the list we have the funky track 'Velvet Presley'. Humorous to the end, the song brings together classic chunky riffs with sing-along lyrics. Another one of the 'unfinished' tracks, you wouldn't know it if you didn't already know.
Track three offers up 'Stupid Things'. Running for just over five minutes, the song delivers such a Wildhearts sound you'd think it was taken from one of their first two albums. The song will get you bouncing around your room on the first listen, and you'll find yourself humming it for days afterwards. This is yet another one of the 'unfinished' tracks.
Next we have the awesome Wildhearts ballad 'Tom Take The Money'. Supposedly written about a roadie who ran off with Metallica instead of standing with the band, the track is haunting from the start as it progresses into an anthem of a chorus. True genius.
'State Of Nondependence' flies into a riff-heavy, bouncy little number, holding qualities of past Wildhearts B-Sides. The guitars are funky through the verses, building towards a sing-along, anthem-style chorus.
Track six brings us the classic Wildhearts sounding 'Ride The Wave'. Awesome riffs throughout, with corking vocals that will bounce around your head for days to come. It's just anther song that you'll find yourself loving from the moment you first put it on.
Next we have the track 'Weekend '96'. This is an alternative version to the original track 'Weekend (5 Long Days)' that appeared on the 'Don't Be Happy...Just Worry' mini-album. The track offers up a more poppy bridge, with crowd chanting and an Ice Hockey style organ. The track is a great alternative to the original and well worth a listen. This track first appeared on the May of 1996 re-release of the 'Fishing For Luckies' LP, as one of five bonus tracks.
Track eight is another song that was first included as a bonus track on the 'Fishing For Luckies' re-release LP. The song is catchy with its classic Wildhearts sound and a melody so addictive you'd think it was illegal. A fantastic little number with haunting vocals from Ginger.
'Got It On Tuesday' originally appeared as a B-Side on the 1996 single 'Red Light - Green Light'. The usual high standard of songwriting from the Wildyboys here. Simply a great track.
Next we have the song 'Do Anything'. This track also appeared first on the 'Red Light - Green Light' single. The song starts with an ambient sound that whispers "the calm before the storm". The song bursts into a riff-heavy rock track after the intro has set a beautiful air about the song. Nothing but rock and roll genius is included in the track.
'The British All-American Homeboy Crowd' is a comical little ditty with some rather naughty language on it that also came from the 'Red Light - Green Light' single.
Finally we have the short, comical song that is created in the style of a German beer drinking song. Nothing but humorous lyrics and a comical ending makes this 1min 14sec track a great track to end the album with.
All in all, I would say the CD includes some corking songs that don't sound in any way particularly unfinished. The CD is worth picking up if you love the music of the Wildhearts, but remember that they don't get a penny for it.
Dreadlocksmile's review and ratings | 998 words
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