W/e 25/09/26 - Anthrax, Beck, Echo and The Bunnymen, Tokyo Tea Rooms, Patti Smith

• 

• 

• 

• 

Guy

Anthrax – Much as expected, it was a pretty tedious 53 minutes. It’s not the worst kind of metal (that accolade goes to the screechy Nu-Metal shite), but there’s none of the bluesy rock that makes AC/DC so good. – 5

Beck – good musician-ship for sure and well produced. The songs are well-written but it’s all so slow I couldn’t get too excited – 6.7

Echo and the Bunnymen – A really decent album. I’m always a bit worried when acts you loved release new material but this has lots of the Bunnymen old-school sound and a number of great tracks – Take Me By the Hand and Brussels is Haunted being a couple of faves – 7.8

Tokyo Tea Room – Not what I was expecting but I enjoyed this. Some lovely Indie dance tunes. Reminded me a bit of Pale Waves in places – 7.3

TOTW – Take Me By The Hand – Echo and the Bunnymen

Patti Smith – Lot of batshit crazy stuff on here but there was also some really good tunes, like Gloria in Excelsis Deo. Not a bad choice this – 7.5

Andy

Anthrax - Top drawer thrash from one of the best to ever do it. Charlie Benante’s drumming is exceptional and drives the whole thing. Marvellous 8

Beck - Well, this was lovely. Mr Hansen really is a very talented man, up there with Prince for his showing off. This is a wonderful listen, country tinged mellow delights 7.5

Echo and the Bunnymen - Good stuff from the lads, unmistakably them, although Hijacked sound a bit like the Mondays had broken into the studio and had errrr, taken over by force 6.5

Tokyo Tea Room - Is Tokyo tea an especially milky weak brew? That would be fitting for this bland smooth jazz background music 4.5

TotW - NYC 93 by Anthrax

Patti Smith - A cracker. Kicks off with a bang and just keeps going. Up there with the Velvet’s debut for most influential 8

Carlo

Anthrax – 5.1

I need to be careful, my ears are starting to adjust to this heaviness! An easier listen than expected. But still not for me.

Beck – 6.2

Pleasant enough, but just lacked anything exciting and that emotional draw I crave when feeling depressed.

Echo & the Bunnymen – 6.2

Typical Echo & the Bunnymen – crisp-sounding music, but no standout Killing Moon vocals. It comfortably played in the background without really pulling me in.

Tokyo Tea Room – 8.5

Chill, chill, chill. Within the first 30 seconds, I knew I would enjoy this. Soft-baked analogue keyboard stabs, with jammy, funky guitar overtones in the middle, dusted with a sweet-sounding voice. Victoria sponge for the ears.

TOTW: Tokyo Tea Room – Last Time

Classic: Patti Smith – 6.0

Such a distinctive voice and I can completely understand the appeal. I’m getting a female Bob Dylan vibe. I appreciate it, but not sure I particularly enjoyed it.

Simon

Anthrax 5.5

Not my thing by any stretch but more listenable than I was expecting - at least the lyrics were decipherable. It's all a bit relentless though and 53 mins of it was too much for me.

Beck 8.5

An utterly sumptuous and frequently gorgeous collection of country-tinged melancholia, ostensibly written following the break-up of his marriage - this is very high quality stuff indeed from a seriously talented songwriter.

Echo and the Bunnymen 8

Unexpected new albums by old bands that haven't released anything for ages can be hit and miss at the best of times, but the Bunnies have done themselves justice here - this has their classic sound, three cracking opening tracks and (bar the naff Lab Rats Ran) remains engaging throughout. A triumphant return.

Tokyo Tea Room 5

Bit of a snooze fest this - I don't mind chill out music per se but this was just dull and insipid, nothing vaguely of interest here at all.

TotW: Beck - Ride Lonesome

Patti Smith 8.5

One of those seminal albums I've heard of but never listened to - rather wish I had before now as it's tremendous, a raw and thrilling listen with shades of the Velvets (John Cale was a great choice of producer); not surprised it was so influential on the likes of REM and PJ Harvey. Cracking choice, Phil.

Phil (OG)

Anthrax 6.5

I believe this is old skool metal, am I right, Sam? Vocals never quite get hysterical, guitar solos only occasionally stray into the annoying, but it’s the relentlessness of the music that finally wears me down. Edge of perfection is a great track, mind you.

Beck 6.2

The only other album I’ve heard by Beck was Odelay, which we did as a classic last year. I wasn’t crazy about it but at least it had energy and variety. This has neither. It’s mostly what sound like lovelorn acoustic ditties, with a bit of orchestration.

Echo and the Bunnymen 8

I confess I lost interest in the Bunnymen after their original split – which was pretty acrimonious – and never went back, until now. This is the first post-reformation album that I’ve heard, and it’s great! Mac is in fine voice and although the band have moved on style-wise you can still hear many of the tropes that made Ocean Rain such an extraordinary record. One of their post-reunion albums is called What are you going to do with your life? Answer: carry on making fine music.

Tokyo Tea Room 8.2

I’m sorry but this has to be one of the worst band names I’ve ever heard. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the album is terrific - high-class wispy, dream pop/soul. OK, they’re not quite Beach House but I hear definite echoes of Sade and even 80s vintage Isleys. Guys, do you serve English breakfast tea?

Tokyo Tea Room – All night

Classic

Patti Smith 9.5

Another of those albums that helped define music for me. Patti has her own take on classic rock and, being a poet, her words are vivid and striking. Gloria is brilliant and I’ve always had a soft spot for Free money but it’s the two long tracks that really hit the mark. They’re both completely different in tone and style from each other but I reckon that the full throttle Land just shades it.

Mark D

Anthrax 7.5

I'm nervous about metal bands releasing albums as they "mature". But, this was a factory of riffs, solos and harmonies with energy and quality. Great album and just felt like each song maybe a minute too long (but maybe that's the point!)

Beck 8.25

Don't know much Beck but this is a beautiful album. Hypnotic and dream-like sounds. The orchestral elements supported the guitar brilliantly. Enough emotion and all this easily outweighed the slow tempo..

Echo and the Bunnymen 7

Decent set of indie tunes and melodies. It began to drop off after some strong openers and it lacked standout tracks for me. Not much to say.

Tokyo Tea Party 6

All too easy listening indie pop.. She's got a lovely voice and the mix with the band is great. However quickly became quite bland and like a "chill" cover CD you hear in hotels. Each song felt made up entirely of either one decent guitar lick or chorus.

TOTW - Beck - Failed Words

Patti Smith 7.75

Loved the blues feel and emotion throughout this album - in her voice and all the band. Can see it's a Classic even if i don't hear all it's influenced so easily. Raw (in a good way) is totally the right word for it. Tokyo Tea Party should give it a listen.

Jim

Anthrax – 7

Relentless, sounding a little dated at times with some excess heavy noodling but it is also fun and there are some cracking tracks NYC93 in particular. And of course proper vocals

Beck - 6

Never warmed to him and this doesn’t change that I’m afraid. But I recognise it’s probably a case of ‘it’s me not you’ and can see why others lap it up

Echo and The Bunnymen - 6

It’s OK, although on 2nd listen it actually lost a point which is unusual. Never a hard listen but also nothing stood out

Tokyo Tea Party 6.5

Enjoyed plenty of this, first half+ especially until they ran out of steam a little. A modern day Morcheeba. Would be a nice afternoon set in the sunshine, and my TOTW track was ace .

TOTW: TTP’s Always In The Sun

Patti Smith 8.5

So much quality and variety here, you can hear and imagine all the acts that must have lapped this up from Blondie to The Police . And the Fleetwood Mac inspired or inspiration Free Money is a fantastic

Annette

Anthrax: 6.5

Beck: 6

Echo and the bunnyman: 6.5

Tokyo Tea Room: 7

TOTW: All night - Tokyo Tea Room

Classic: Patti Smith - 7.5

Paul

Anthrax (7)

Not to my usual tastes and sounds quite dated, but enjoyed it. Rattled along nicely.

Beck (8)

A lovey melancholic listen. The range of instruments used builds a really rich sound that fortunately didn’t stray too close to country.

Echo & the Bunny Men (7.3)

Good solid indie without blowing me away.

Tokyo Tea Room(7.8)

Decent chilled out indie pop, liked the keyboard/guitar combo. Nice stuff!

TOTW - Tokyo Tea Room, All Night

Patty Smith (8)

Not heard of much of her stuff but she’s very compelling if a little intense at times, but it works. Gloria’s a great track.

Matt

Anthrax - 5

Beck - 6.2

Echo and The Bunnymen - 8

Tokyo Tea Party - 6.3

TOTW - Echo and The Bunnymen, The Honey

Mark KE

Anthrax - 6.5 - not too bad at all, legends of thrash obviously and this manages to still sound reasonably contemporary.

Beck - 8 - similar vibe to his brilliant album Morning Phase from a while back, I really like this sort of mournful melancholy Beck stuff, there are some beautiful arrangements and his vocals are great on this one.

Echo & The Bunnymen - 7.5 - as my favourite band during those formative early teenage years the Bunnymen will always have a place in my heart. I thought this was a decent effort for a band that's been going thick end of 50 years, Mac's unmistakable voice still sounding pretty good.

Tokyo Tea Room - 7 - reminded me of Jungle with a bit more of an indie / dream pop angle to it, all perfectly pleasant.

TOTW - Brussels Is Haunted, by the Bunnymen

Erol

Anthrax - loved it even if it was a little dated. This is what rock music should sound like. Boom. 8.3

Beck - lovely voice, beautifully dreamy songs. But it was hard not to feel like I was listening to the same song over and over. 6

Echo & the Bunnymen - Decent enough indie. Nothing remarkable though. Hats off for their longevity. 7

Tokyo Tea Room - totally laid back, with a great voice. Smooth FM would really like this. I did too. 7.8

TOTW - Always in the sun, Tokyo Tea Room. A delightful track.

Patti Smith - she has a quirky voice but my word, some of these tracks are cracking. You can so hear how later bluesy/rocky female US artistes were influenced by her. 7.5

Adam

Anthrax 7

Old school thrash metal. As well as the expected heavy rocking there are some good harmonies in there.

Beck 8

Thought this was excellent. Haunting, melodic. Seems a little threadbare but adds to it for me.

Echo & the Bunnymen 6

Some good indie holding up here. Expecting something a bit more from a band of this calibre.

Tokyo Tea Room 7

Floating, dream pop indie with some electronic beats woven through. Very good.

TOTW For Your Love - Beck

Classic 8

Great opening track. There’s a real restless rocking energy here.

Sam

Anthrax : Scott Ian is 62 But this sounds fresh and absolutely bloody marvellous. Massive riffs . It’s a 9 from me .

Beck : he has got a lovely voice and I like most of it . A bit to light and floaty in places ; 7.2

Echo and the Bunneymen : wow what a perfect indie album so long after their heyday . Great lyrics . And Ian’s voice stands up so well . 8.5

Tokyo Tea Room: well made but quite repetitive and a bit wafty at times . 6

TOTW : could be anything by Anthrax but I’ll go for ; Infectious

Patti Smith : I’m not sure she is the grandmother or the queen of punk but this a brilliant debut full of confidence and passion . Nice choice :8.5

Phil (New)

Anthrax 6.8

Metal is not my thing at all but this was good fun, and apart from being a bit heavy all in one listen; had a couple of decent tracks and the drumming was great throughout.

Beck 6

The first couple of tracks were great, the melancholic Run Away was the highlight. The production was slick throughout but the album slowly dragged into the boring. I think you have to be in the right mood to listen to this and I clearly wasn't.

Echo and the bunnyman 6.2

Another band that I know nothing about, that I probably should. Decent enough but nothing really stood out.

Tokyo Tea Room 7.1

Very much a chillout album. Definitely agree with the Sade reference. Every track was quite similar, but it was an enjoyable listen non the less.

TOTW Anthrax - My Victory

Patti Smith - 6.5

I've not heard of this before, It was ok, but I didn't really get it. Reading the other comments about this album; not for the first time I feel like a complete philistine!