From the Vault...

08/10/2008
#1111

info
10,000 Maniacs
"Blind Man's Zoo"


© Elektra Records

Year of Release: 1989
Rating:

track listing
  • Eat Fpr Two
  • Please Forgive Us
  • The Big Parade
  • Trouble Me
  • You Happy Puppet
  • Headstrong
  • Poison In The Well
  • Dust Bowl
  • The Lion's Share
  • Hateful Hate
  • Jubilee

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    10,000 Maniacs related sites:
    10,000 Maniacs Website
    Wikipedia
    Previous Review: #1110
    Tex Ritter--Collectors Series
    Next Review: #1112
    Daryl Hall & John Oates--Change Of Season
    10,000 Maniacs
    "Blind Man's Zoo"



    This week marks the debut of 10,000 Maniacs with vocalist Natalie Merchant. Their 1989 release, Blind Man's Zoo gets the nod of approval for the Album Pick of the Week. In reading about this band on Wikipedia, they started out as an Alternative Rock band. While listening to Blind Man's Zoo, their style is more Pop than Alternative. The biggest hit from this album was "Trouble Me," a very nice, catchy, easy-going Pop song.


    The first two tracks, "Eat For Two" and "Please Forgive Us" are good power Pop tunes. Yet an average Pop sound style has the next two songs -- "The Big Parade" and "You Happy Puppet." "Headstrong" and "Poison In The Well" are both strong, Rock-styled songs. A softer side is heard on "Dust Bowl." "The Lion's Share" is also a good Pop song. "Hateful Hate" is very different, from the start of the song, with the church-sounding organ. Throughout, this song definitely has a more Alternative sound than Pop. "Jubilee" has another soft quality, Natalie Merchant's voice is the standout, likewise the orchestration.


    Blind Man's Zoo has it's moments. It's not a bad album, but it is a blend of different styles. Some songs having a standard Pop style, some with a more Rock edge. The unique voice of Natalie Merchant is the key factor in all the songs. Blind Man's Zoo doesn't leave the listener blind, it tends to make the listener decide if 10,000 Maniacs is an Alternative band or Pop. The final equation is still the same -- it's still Rock 'n' Roll.


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    Previous Review: #1110
    Tex Ritter--Collectors Series
    Next Review: #1112
    Daryl Hall & John Oates--Change Of Season