"Excellent CD if you like either of there first 2 CDs you will definilty like this one"
Another Great One
A. Lutes | 01/07/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Not too many people know about the Ike Reilly Assassination, those people are missing out. Junkie Faithful marks a departure from the loud, crazy rockers of Sparkle in the Finish and Salesmen and Racists, but the music on this disc is no less amazing. Reilly and company continue to pay their dues and create great music. If they remain a secret pleasure, you won't hear me complaining."
A Must Buy!
TSC | Santa Cruz, CA United States | 04/03/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ike Reilly has a very refreshing sound and this CD is my favorite of all of the 3 CD's I own of his. I just heard about him on February 10th and went to see his show that night. He played most of this CD and it was great. Not too often do I see a band that I've never heard of and love the music as much as I did Ike Reilly and the Assassination. I bought this CD at the show and his other 2 also. They've been part of my regular rotation since then. Ike Reilly is, fortunately for music lovers and unfortunately for the band, a well kept secret which will be getting out soon. The entire CD is, IMO, strong. There aren't really any throw-away tracks on it. Do yourself (and the band) a favor and get this CD. Then, watch for the band to come to your town. Yeah, I recommend his other two CD's too. BTW, I own probably over 800 CD's (and 700 vinyl records) and have seen hundreds of bands in concert, so it's not as if I just fell off he turnip truck when it comes to music."
Viagra for the brain?
bagassosis | chapel hill, nc United States | 07/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having practiced medicine for 21 years I unfortunately suffer from left brain atrophy. Despondent and resigned to a one dimensional existence I happened to stumble across the Ike Reilly Assassination. Stimulating rifs, clever thought provoking lyrics, a James Dean personna and an outstanding band have generated activity in previously dormant synapses and enhanced blood flow to ischemic neurons. Ike is sort of like Viagra for the cerebral cortex. Just as a diabetic requires insulin for sustenance, I have to listen to Ike occassionally to make myself whole.
Now - just so you don't think that Ike and his assassins are some geriatric fix for this old fart, my two daughters aged 16 and 19 are fighting over who gets to borrow Junkie Faithful.
And speaking of Junkie Faithful - it's a wonderful CD - not one bad cut. Versatility rules and the band has never sounded better.
"22 hours of darkness" is a haunting song about self examination and depression and blatantly asks "do you think that this is just your life".
"The Mixture" is a masterful mixture of Ike Reilly lyrics. How can you describe this song? You can't. You just have to listen.
"God and Money" starts out with an almost psychedelic "strawberry fields" flavor and asks some critical questions. I don't know if I completely understand exactly what Ike is saying but it's all right because I'm "living a good life".
"Kara Dean" is a jaunty, clever tune which talks about "wiggling in the rain" and later tells of Ike checking out his neighbors wife while she's bending down to pull out weeds. Very catchy - one of those numbers that you end up humming for days.
"Farm Girl" is funny. Something happens at the grain elevator at the co-op then after five times we hear that the farm girl somehow has grass in her teeth.
"Suffer for the Trust" is a great song. Provocative lyrics! My wife and kids spent about half an hour discussing the meaning of the song. Listen and tell me exactly what the "face on the monument pays me a compliment" means.
"Edge of the Universe Cafe" almost sounds like an Irish folk song. Another solid song which showcases Ike's lyrical genius.
"Heroin" describes the evil of this poison in a way that Lou Reed and Neil Young never could. I love the guitar work - simple but beautiful.
"What a Day" talks of the day that "we buried my mother". Everyone said that she "looked pretty and peaceful" so Ike concludes that that means "I guess that means she's better off dead". Having just come back from my mother in law's funeral I agree with Ike - "what a day, what a day, what a day".
"I Will Let You Down" is witty and Dylanesque. Ike describes coming home late to his sleeping lady. While drunk he mumbles "Wake up pretty baby, we're gonna party hard tonight. I heard about your birthday so I brought you home a clown."
"Devil's Valentine" is short and melodic. Lovely.
"Everything is Gonna Be Alright" intros with Ike's harmonica with shades of Neil Young. It changes course with a melodic "everything is gonna be alright" then redirects.
This is a great song!! My favorite cut on the CD. This can stand up to anything I've heard in the past ten years.
In closing, I'd like to say that as good as the CD is, Ike shines even more in concert. My daughter, Hannah and I were lucky enough to see the band in North Carolina and it proved to be a nice father daughter bonding experience. After the concert I asked Hannah what she thought - she replied, "Dad, he is REALLY COOL!"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
