Suburbs - Chemistry SetSongs of the Suburbs 19771987 (17 tracks) +Album Reviews

Quirky

01/05/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Suburbs were one of what I called "The Big Three" of the Minneapolis music scene (The Suburbs, The Replacements, The Flamin' Oh's) in the eighties. They are also one of the few bands that I know that had two (count 'em two) major label deals and lost both.

That aside, this is a great compilation of the best of their "early" stuff. There is a lot of humor on this CD, and it is very dance oriented. I tend to have more of a problem with the earlier than later songs, and as you work your way through the set, you can hear the growth of a band that was was rather silly to one that refined and perfected great groves. Standouts are "Music For Boys," "Girlfriend," and "Monster Man."

The Suburbs are a band that was good enough to make it, and should have recieved a lot more acclaim than they did. They were deserving of national attention. For a good retrospective on what made the Minneapolis scene unique, this CD can't be beat."

I am trying to break your Bunsen burner.

Moved on...and you? | Chicago, IL | 11/17/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Genius music in its day, but there's something sad about middle-aged men still milking the reissue-reunion-gig-ego-massage-machine. Their soldout four night stint at First Avenue in '02 was transcendent; their recent two night stint less so (with lots of tix left). Such is "the law" of attrition: we love you guys, but don't ask us to love you TOO much and too often. This disc is a case in point: if you're a Suburbs fan, you already have their best songs on at least one CD. Remixed on this disc they sound meatier, but the reminted-in-Malibu production values are also a lot less raw - and the rawness was part of their 80's charm. As for the DVD, it's hardly the stuff of D.A. Pennebaker and offers neither behind-the-scenes scintillation or an up-close-and-personal vantage point of their performance. Doubt if I would have been bored in the audience, but on DVD, the band seems surprisingly downtempo and dull. (For truly entertaining 'Burbs video, check out Twin Tone's online archives.) Kudos to Bruce Allen for great package design, tho. And I sincerely hope, in spite of "Chemistry Set's" solipsism, that the guys in real life are embracing the future more than the past. The pompadour was THEN. The bald spot is NOW. There's no telling what might have happened if the 'Burbs, instead of wearing a path down Memory Lane, rented a suite at the Yankee Foxtrot to pen some NEW tunes. A disc showing what's in their old souls NOW might be a lot more rewarding - to them and their fans - than this one."

The 'Burbs still rock!

10/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A GREAT greatest "hits" collection from Minneapolis favorite sons, The Suburbs - PLUS you get a live DVD - recorded at the bands legendary 2002 "reunion" shows at First Avenue. This band was ahead of their time in the early/mid 80's and never received the acclaim that they so truly deserved. With so many new bands currently looking to the early 80's for their inspiration the time is definitely right for a Suburbs resurrection and if their July 2003 Basilica shows & the footage on the DVD from First Avenue are anything to judge them by, these "old guys" certainly still know how to rock."

Family in the 'Burbs.

Robert Klaers | Richfeild, MN USA | 07/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though I had family in MN, I grew up in Philly, PA. Out there we'd see a PBS show from time to time called Newton's Apple. During one of the pieces of Newton's Apple they'd play some music. I would come to find out years later that not only was Newton's Apple produced in MN, but it was my cousin with his band playing the music for that piece. The piece was from Music for Boys. The band-- The Suburbs. Growing up where I did, I didn't have a chance to really see the 'Burbs. It wasn't until a few years after I moved to MN, I finally saw them for the first time -June 6, 1993. I was hooked. I wish I had seen them when I was younger, but hey- that's life. Since 1993, I have seen them 3 other times, all at 1st Ave. Maybe I'm biased cos my cousin is in the band, who knows, but they rock. If you get a chance to see them - do so. You won't be disappointed. There's a reason on the rare occasions they get together, they have sold-out shows. After 20 years, they still know how to rock."

DVD makes you wish you were there!

Bill Wikstrom | Long Island, NY | 09/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Suburbs are one of the New Wave era's lost gems. Discovering

their material now would probably be amazing, but to the fans this release is a nice little package. LADIES AND GENTLEMAN... is probably a better, more varied collection but this one features

some previously unissued material. "America Sings The Blues" (alt. Mix) is a superior version than that which appeared on their long out of print final album SUBURBS (1986 on A&M).

"Don't Do Me Any Favors" is the B-Side to their very last 12" single (The A side being "Little Man's Gonna Fall" in 1987).

And "Bongo Rock" recorded live at The Longhorn in 1978 is The Suburbs at their punky earliest. It's a big disappointment that

this release does not contain "Waiting" (one of their biggest,

best songs), "The Best Is Over" or anything else from DREAM HOG

or SUBURBS. The DVD is raw, loose Suburbs fun. Recorded in Sep,

2003 at a benefit for First Avenue it is too brief and they should released a DVD with all their old videos (including "#9")

and the tons of old footage they have to see Suburbs in their prime. for that footage go to Twin/Tone's site.

The Suburbs rock regardless!"

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