Search - Cramps :: Fiends of Dope Island

What do you expect?

Luke Bickers | earth, usa | 05/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have seen a couple of reviews that say "I expected something different" or "this is redundant". If you ever expect anything other than what this disc is, than don't ever buy another cramps cd. After more than 25 years under their belt of the same psychotic rock and roll, something else would be disappointing! They are not Metallica, where they need a fresh new image every 5 years. the crazed sound is here to stay and that thrills me. This is a great album"

Their best album after all this time, amazing

Doctor Satan | Kentucky United States | 06/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a cramps fan since college, over fifteen yrears. Although I thought some of the songs on Big Beat From Badsville were great, i.e. Like a Bad Girl Should, that album as a whole was just decent. After five years without an album I felt fairly certain that they had split. I actually expected this album not to be so good. I was wrong. As a whole album this is by far their best effort. I have all of their albums and this is one of the few that is excellent from start to finish. I was thrilled with it from the first listen and it only sounds better with time. If a had to pick only one Cramps album this would be the one. I saw them in Ashville, NC and I hope to see them again before they finish their tour. They are one of the few bands that are actually better live than on CD. If you want a truly entertaining show this is the band to see. Ashville is the third time I have seen them and everytime has been awesome. If you like any of their albums you should definitely enjoy this one."

I fell in love with a dead pig's eye...

Pamela Scarangello | Middletown, NJ USA | 07/14/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have read quite a few reviews regarding this album and a majority of them have complained that "Fiends of Dope Island" has no indication of the band's instrumental growth. Most devoted Cramps fans claim that after a 6-year gap, this CD (the first ever to be released since 1997's "Big Beat from Badsville") doesn't show any evidence of the band taking a fresh musical direction: instead the Cramps' outrageous psychobilly melodies are rehashed and recycled from the past, thereby becoming out-of-touch with today's pop audience. Well, I bought "Fiends of Dope Island" and I personally feel that despite the band's age, it would be a shame for the Cramps to alter their signature sound or image just to sell more records; in fact, doing otherwise would mean having to sell out! To me the rock elements on "Fiends" are just as enjoyable and catchy as before; this CD proves that after the birth of the 21st century, the Cramps are finally back in business! A potential classic on its own, "Fiends of Dope Island" contains funny, danceable songs amalgamating references to black masses, psychotic drug abuse, grisly murder, and of course the late Elvis Presley. My most favorite tracks are "Fissure of Rolando," "Dopefiend Boogie" and "Mojo Man from Mars." Primal drums and Lux's sarcastic punk howling fold nicely upon Poison Ivy's guitar (which can erect, sway and slither like a Cobra seduced by its charmer) Of course "Fiends" DOES have a few flaws; some of the choruses are mindnumbingly repetitive, Lux's lyrics are nothing more than random nonsense phrases shouted in a microphone, and also the CD exudes the BIGGEST exploitation a certain 4-letter F-word! The general content here is undoubtedly the most EXPLICIT Lux has ever performed in an audio recording."