Vinyl

(This is review of VINYL in CD format). DRAMARAMA'S VINYL is an outstanding musical masterpiece in the landscape of American rock 'n roll history, which everyone who loves rock should be aware of. However, DRAMARAMA began back in mid/late 80's, a period where far too many wonderfully talented bands got "lost", because record labels and radio stations didn't know how to promote them. There started becoming too many "sub"-genres & even with more detailed descriptions, if an artist didn't "fit" in a particular one, they were often overlooked, or else slotted in the wrong category (i.e. The Cult were tagged as "Goth" & were not. Screaming Trees, being from Washington State, not Seattle; a little town called Ellenville, despite having psychedelic undertones, were just lumped in with grunge).Now, with MTV Classic running actual music videos, again...such classic programming as Rock Block, Classic Music Videos, 120 Minutes and I Love the 80s, this is how I stumbled across DRAMARAMA, much to my amazement & delight! Just about any song that sparked my attention (since I'm usually multi-tasking when I have one of those shows on, or am flipping to it during commercials) ended up being a DRAMARAMA song; that I started to begin to recognize John Easdale's fantastic vocals (the band's equally terrific!)Of all DRAMARAMA releases, VINYL just grabbed hold of me & held me captivated!! All their releases have solid songwriting and are tops beginning to end. I just liked the style of VINYL. I'm somewhat reminded of Cracker, but DRAMARAMA rock more!! The opening tracks #1 "Until The Next Time", #2 "Haven't Got A Clue" and #3 "What Are We Gonna Do?" all have magnificent, awesome lead guitar riffs which are just right (no "70's style" 20 minute jams here!) and standout formidable drums throughout!!Track #2 "Haven't Got A Clue" also, for some reason brings to mind a solo Bob Mould (minus Husker Du) and almost brings a lump to my throat it's so beautiful and makes me feel nostalgic, while Track #3 "What Are We Gonna Do?" hints at Beatles "Dear Prudence". Track #5 is the Outstanding cover of The Stones "Memo From Turner" which is so well-done & impressive, it's easy to see why Mick Taylor's contributed! "I've Got Spies" hints at grunge (think Smashing Pumpkins or Stone Temple Pilots) then add much better! Track #8 "In Quiet Rooms" may remind some of The Replacements (later years), Track #9 "Ain't It The Truth" has a quasi-post-punk feel and Track #10 "Tiny Candles" just a barest psycheldic touch. Most importantly, put together solid songwriting lyrics, combined with striking vocals and a tight band and there's nothing DRAMARAMA can't do!!!I think, or at least like to hope, that other people are turning to the past & finding, as myself, that the "lost" years...usually from around '85 - '90 (I realize VINYL falls outside that period & don't have an explanation for that, other than their earlier works started in late 80s) contain many great rock artists who, had they come up at almost any other period, would have been huge & well-known the world over. I do believe this is happening, as we're losing guitar-based rock & even "rock" itself, as what's categorized as "rock" is usually more closely related to "metal" & to find rock, you need to wander around in "alternative" & "indie" & can sometimes find pearls in those categories.What would be very exciting and thrilling is if DRAMARAMA recorded, released & toured some new material now, as I do believe people are pining for this music...both people who were around in-the-day (& like myself, somehow weren't aware of such greats as DRAMARAMA...I really don't understand, b/c I am familiar with and own Cracker, The Cult and The Smithereens...all of whom, I must have heard on WDHA in New Jersey, so how I didn't know DRAMARAMA until now, is a complete mystery to me..but I'm so glad that's been corrected!!) It's like having discovered a new band (since they're "new to me"!) I'm reveling in listening to DRAMARAMA'S music, especially VINYL!! (I've already wasted no time in ordering a "Box Office Bomb" France-released version CD containing the bonus song "Hitchhiking"!)

item arrived on time and as described

Simply the best album and band ever. I’d like to friggin volunteer to replace the A&R guy who dropped the ball on this one. What a shame and crime to boot this album isn’t as popular as, I don’t know, fill in the blank, all your stupid crap bands in your hemisphere.Dramarama has continually produced stellar recordings that no one, save me and two other geniuses, will never hear. John Easdale should be knighted, for crissakes.

This is the fourth of Dramarama's 6 cds (after Cinema Verite, Box Office Bomb, and Stuck In Wonderamaland, but before Hi-Fi Sci-Fi, and somewhere in there was their Bent Backed Tulips album). If you like Stuck In Wonderamaland, you'll like this. Though lacking a "Last Cigarette" or "Anything, Anything" type song, this cd has a couple of often overlooked gems.My favorite is "In Quiet Rooms". Anyone who has witnessed the college scene will identify with this song. Catchy tune, awfully emoting lyrics.One thing I particularly like about this album is the range of style. There are tunes to chill and ponder to like "Train Going Backwards" and "I'd Like to Volunteer" but there are also tunes to crank to volume to 10 (11 if you have a Spinal Tap stereo) like "Ain't It The Truth" and "I've Got Spies".No matter what style the song is you are always comforted in the fact that you experience supreme vocals, excellent lyrics, and masterful craftsmanship.

This is my first review, and I'm writing as I eagerly await my copy of HiFi SciFi. This I have to say, is one of the best CDs I've ever purchased, from the opening "Until the Next Time" straight through to the end, not a bad note is heard.As a guitarist who has always been into plain old unadulterated Jangly melodic guitar pop, this is the perfect fix for those with a love of this sound. I get out my guitar and play along for extra fun! After this I bought "Cinema Verite", but the real standouts on there are "Anything, Anything" and "Scenario". On "Vinyl", the good stuff never stops. I agree with another reviewer about "In Quiet Rooms", the middle part where it's just the music with no vocal is SO beautiful, I nod my head along to the beat with a smile on my face every time! Buy this CD NOW!

Dramarama's Vinyl maybe the perfect pop record (CD) but isn't Earth Day on April 22nd? Wrong date aside (perhaps there is some clever cryptic meaning with the 21st)the album is pure sugar and cheese with that feel good melody and candy apple optimism behind every word in the lyrics. You can't help but sing along with every verse.

Dramarama should've been bigger than Nirvana. John Easedale, the prime mover of the band, is a great singer/songwriter. All of their albums are worth listening to. This one is one of their finest.

If you like Rock, you like this and all the other Dramarama. I still cannot beleive this band did not do better. I was lucky to have seen them many times. You can't go wrong this this cd.