An odd 90s supergroup started as a lark playing gigs at the Viper Room in Hollywood, Neurotic Outsiders found surprising enthusiasm for their punk-edged paeans to sex and the dark side of rock, resulting in a tour, extended stints at the Viper Room, and this album. Made up of the unsung members of some of the best bands of the last three decades, the band boasts Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, John Taylor of Duran Duran, Duff McKagan of Guns 'N Roses, and Matt Sorum of G'nR and The Cult. Steve Jones and John Taylor, responsible for nearly all the writing, make no mistake about where they are coming from. As grunge and its vague angst and politics fizzled out in the mid-90s, Neurotic Outsiders in spirit are a lot closer to poseurs and playas of the decade's rap scene. However, their odes to nasty sex and bad women are tinged with tongue-in-cheek campiness. As expected, this band has a fabulous rhythm section. John Taylor's hyperkenetic bass lines paired with Sorum's machine-gun drums are a treat. McKagan and Jones turn in surprising guitar work, and all members do a respectable job sharing vocal duties. Of course, a punk album born in the Viper Room sports some in-your-face lyrics about sex in all its rock and roll forms. 'Jerk' is so obnoxious it's impossible to dislike it. 'Angelina' is a slightly campy 'stripper wants to escape' romp with big-80s guitar and a disarmingly catchy chorus about 'Angelina,' the queen of misdemeanors.' Whether it's sex, drugs, or music, every track has a dark undercurrent, giving a surprising bit of depth to the record. 'Revolution,' 'Good News' (the bad news is your dying/the good news is I'm alive), and 'Six Feet Under' are frenetic, anthemic, mixes of punk and GnR style hard rock. Jones' song writing talents are intriguing. 'Better Way,' a rolling power ballad, is an astute meditation on going and staying straight, and finding fulfillment. 'Union' recounts the rise and fall of the Sex Pistols. Fittingly, the band nods to their collective musical past with a superb, fiery cover of the Clash's 'Janie Jones.' Fans missing punk, pre-grunge hard rock, or the musicianship of any of the bands that fed into Neurotic Outsiders, will appreciate this record. ~ Theresa E. LaVeck, All Music Guide
Такие вот добрые слова. А я то думал откуда этот МакКаган.
Добавление от 13-04-2003 17:03УППС-С-С!!!!!!
Lady XenaxТы давно из Огайо?
A long cry from Duran Duran, April 5, 2001
Reviewer: ladyxanax13 (see more about me) from Columbus, OH
The first time I listened to this album I wasn't really sure what to think or even whether or not I liked it, it was so unexpected to hear something as gritty and raw as this. I had grown up a diehard Duran Duran fan, and John was always my favourite so when he made his first album I was pretty excited to say the least.
I was used to the more upbeat pop beats that Duran Duran is famous for, not this sort of punky rhythm and rough singing that I heard on this album. But the more I listened to it, the more I began to like it. The edginess and unpracticed sound of John's voice really lent to the entire feeling of the album. The songs on FAGAOL are extremely personal, much more so than anything that Duran Duran had ever come out with.
Two of the songs that really impressed me on this CD were:
FEELINGS R GOOD: A very personal song about learning that while life is painful it's all a learning experience. Everyone hurts sometimes, and although we might not realise it at the time, it helps make us stronger and to teach us something. This is also a song about dealing with the responsibilities of life and being accountable for your actions. Has a really raw quality to the singing that makes it all the more personal sounding and not like it was something that came out of a posh studio somewhere.
TRUST THE PROCESS: Another very personal song. This time about John's struggle with drug abuse and alcoholism and about getting his life back. This song is about putting all your faith in yourself, and knowing that you can defeat your own weaknesses. It's a song about finally hitting rock bottom and being strong enough to fight to get your life back. It's also a song about putting away your pride and putting your trust in others, instead of never heeding anyone's advice.
I highly recommend this CD although the full effect may not hit you until the third or fourth time you listen to it. It's an album that needs to be examined from all angles before you can get the full effect. Very few people have the strength to write about their personal experiences in such a brutally honest fashion, and I have to admire John for being strong enough to do it.