Best Redd Kross Album/ep

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Excluding the Tater Totz albums before anyone asks where they are.
New album supposedly due at some point. Mind you that's been promised for a few years now.

But what is the best album?

Poll Results

OptionVotes
Third Eye 15
Phaseshifter 10
Born Innocent 5
Teen Babes From Monsanto EP 3
Show World3
Red Cross EP 2
Neurotica 2


Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 14:14 (eighteen years ago)

This is hard because most of them sound very different.

Born Innocent is the most punk sounding and raw. The songwriting is not quite there, but it's got lots of attitude, which is good. It gets bonus points for having a song called "Kill Someone You Hate."

Teen Babes is all covers. I don't really care for it.

Neurotica is very good, and straddles the line between punk and pop. The songs are very good quality.

Third Eye is a complete departure. It has a very bubblegum feel, and has a weirdly spiritual tone. I like this one the best, I think, because it is the most timeless, but I think if you heard only this album you'd get the complete wrong idea (BTW, that's Sofia Coppola nude on the cover).

Phaseshifter is a very good power pop album in the vein of Nevermind, but more upbeat and humorous, and with more Beatles thrown in. This one is a gem of an album that deserves more attention.

Show World is a slightly spottier version of Phaseshifter but still has a ton of good stuff on it. I think the production on this one is a bit too glossy, but it's bearable.

Richard Wood Johnson, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 14:22 (eighteen years ago)

I took Show World back to the shop, it was just way overproduced for me. My faves are Red Cross EP/Born Innocent for punkiness and Third Eye for popness.

Colonel Poo, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 14:24 (eighteen years ago)

It is really hard to choose. I love them all. Third Eye always was my favourite BUT I hadn't heard Neurotica at the time as it was so hard to come by. Infact the reason I got Napster 7 years ago was to get this album.
I did manage to find the lp cheap a year later though and of course the reissue with bonus track as well came out.
I saw them twice in 1997 and the 1st time was at Glasgow Cathouse and they played a song from Neurotica.
My shout outs for This Is Where I Am Today were in vain , although the drummer (brian reitzel) laughed.

Eddie Kurdziel RIP.

Apparently Robert Hecker is back in the band. Anyone been to the shows they have done in LA?

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 14:26 (eighteen years ago)

Red Blood Cells?

Mark G, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 14:31 (eighteen years ago)

haha.

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 14:32 (eighteen years ago)

srsly!

(I haven't heard/got it)

Mark G, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 14:47 (eighteen years ago)

It was a download only from the Redd Kross site. Steven added bass to White Blood Cells and renamed it Redd Blood Cells.

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 14:49 (eighteen years ago)

Has the 1st EP been reissued anywhere? I only have it on mp3.

Colonel Poo, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 14:53 (eighteen years ago)

the Red blood cells seems to be gorn off the net.

Mark G, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 14:54 (eighteen years ago)

I just picked up Neurotica this week and it is v v good!

Trip Maker, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:07 (eighteen years ago)

<i>Teen Babes</i> by a freaky mile.

Alex in NYC, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:10 (eighteen years ago)

I don't have the 1st ep. No idea if it was ever reissued. Only have the mp3s myself
x-posts

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:15 (eighteen years ago)

You can still find Red Blood Cells on the usual p2ps I think.

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:30 (eighteen years ago)

Teen Babes!

But if this was a PO1, "Puss N Boots," their song on the Hell Comes To Your House comp, is their best tune overall, I think...

If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:52 (eighteen years ago)

Third Eye

Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:53 (eighteen years ago)

if they had a box set, I would buy it

Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:53 (eighteen years ago)

So would I.

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:56 (eighteen years ago)

Third I

Richard Wood Johnson, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:01 (eighteen years ago)

You could make a superb double cd of Redd Kross odds and ends which would rival any of their proper releases. Tons of covers of course but some great originals too - all the songs on the "2500 Redd Kross Fans Can't Be Wrong" record for example.

Anyway, this is a very hard choice between Third Eye and Phaseshifter. Both are absolutely solid albums with 5 or 6 killer numbers and maybe only one weaker song. It just boils down to a personal preference for the lighter sounding/more varied Third Eye with it's amazing second side - "Zira", "1976" and "Elephant Flares". COME ON! I could listen to that album all day.

everything, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:05 (eighteen years ago)

1. Red Cross EP
2. Born Innocent
3. Teen Babes From Monsanto EP
4. Neurotica
5. who cares

xhuxk, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:08 (eighteen years ago)

pffft. Get with the modern sound, Grandad.

everything, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:13 (eighteen years ago)

Phaseshifter

Bob Standard, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:15 (eighteen years ago)

"2500 Redd Kross Fans Can't Be Wrong"

I have that 10"!

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:27 (eighteen years ago)

I also have Trance Australian Tour 1992 cd which has the Teen Babes ep + the trance/byrds and fleas singles on it. And some various 7"s like the split with Sonic Youth, Switchblade Sister,Super Sunny Christmas/Huge Wonder, Trance 7", Burn Out/Cover Band (reissue from 1990), a red cross 7" bootleg with songs from 1979-82(i can type up the tracklisting if anyones interested),and a bootleg 7" of born innocent demos (3 songs).

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:32 (eighteen years ago)

Oh yeah, that song "Trance" is great, as is a Show World B-side called "Misery is Mother" (which should have been on the album).

Richard Wood Johnson, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:33 (eighteen years ago)

any love for the "Spirit of '76" film on this thread?

Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:35 (eighteen years ago)

(its basically the film version of Third Eye)

Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:35 (eighteen years ago)

Never seen the films. Kate was talking about the movies on the watercooler thread. I think they did get issued on dvd so I really should pick them up.

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:40 (eighteen years ago)

I'm talking about this,which is better than any of his sister's stupid movies

Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:42 (eighteen years ago)

I saw that movie. I remember it being okay, but not great. That was a long time ago though.

Richard Wood Johnson, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:43 (eighteen years ago)

Great film. Their best film actually. "Trance" is the one song of that period that I can't stand. My theory is that the record company put it out in the UK because the riff sounded kinda like "Smells Like Teen Spirit" which had just been a big hit.

everything, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:44 (eighteen years ago)

"Trance" is the one song of that period that I can't stand. My theory is that the record company put it out in the UK because the riff sounded kinda like "Smells Like Teen Spirit" which had just been a big hit.

Isn't "Trance" the one that goes "Turn on what you see..."? I liked that one! I remember disliking "Byrds and Fleas."

Richard Wood Johnson, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:46 (eighteen years ago)

"Birds and Fleas" is fucking excellent!

everything, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:49 (eighteen years ago)

I also found I have a 7" called There's A Mrs Kravitz In The Pit which is Neurotica demo's.
Side A
Glad 2B Gladys!
Jannis & George

Side B
Love Is You
Cartoon Man
Beautifulls

The 1979-1982 7" has the tracklisting of
Side A
Rich Brat
Kill Someone You Hate
Everyday Theres SOmeone New

Side B

Notes & Chords Mean Nothing To Me
Puss & Boots.

Picked these up on ebay a few years back fairly cheap.

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:51 (eighteen years ago)

I love Trance and Byrds & Fleas

The 2nd time I saw Redd Kross (Supporting Foo Fighters at the Barrowlands) they played Switchblade Sister which was wonderful.

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:53 (eighteen years ago)

"Ms. Lady Evans" is a great song-- probably my favorite on Phaseshifter, followed by "Dumb Angel."

Richard Wood Johnson, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:56 (eighteen years ago)

xpost. I was at the (very empty) Barrowlands (as were other ilxors apparently) when they played with Kingmaker and 18 Wheeler. This was during a glory period when they did 4 Glasgow gigs in the space of about 6 months.

everything, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:58 (eighteen years ago)

Wish I had known about those gigs. Wonder how I managed to miss them.

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 18:00 (eighteen years ago)

Actually I think I did know about that gig but didn't go because I loathe Kingmaker.

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 18:01 (eighteen years ago)

Lots of funny things happened that night (for me anyway). Kingmaker were surely awful but my friend and I wandered backstage quite easily as there was no security- possibly due to the fact that there were literaly about a hundred folks in the audience. We spent about half an hour in Kingmaker's dressing room drinking booze and tucking into their food, before they came off stage and the lead singer caught us red-handed. At that point we were almost ejected but the MacDonald brothers showed up rescued us as I was wearing a Redd Kross shirt. So we moved next door and had a drink or two with the Redd Kross guys (and an assortment of Glasgow scenesters of the day, including Pink Kross).

everything, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 18:09 (eighteen years ago)

where's the new album, anyway? it's been 10 years since the last one.

Richard Wood Johnson, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 18:19 (eighteen years ago)

http://www.reddkross.com/

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 18:22 (eighteen years ago)

http://www.reddkross.com/features/RBC/media/reddblood350.jpg

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 18:25 (eighteen years ago)

xxpost. It's been 14 years since the last album worth listening to!

everything, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 18:26 (eighteen years ago)

i disagree. there's some good stuff on Show World. Check out "Kiss the Goat", "Ugly Town", and "Vanity Mirror."

Richard Wood Johnson, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 18:27 (eighteen years ago)

Plenty of good songs on Show World.

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 18:28 (eighteen years ago)

Except for "Secret Life" I couldn't really enjoy any of it. I guess I should dig it out again - I think I kept it for the sake of completion. I do remember Kiss The Goat and Vanity Mirror and I didn't care for them.

everything, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 18:31 (eighteen years ago)

How very odd, indeed. "Secret Life" was one of two tracks that I was uneasy with (the other being "Stoned"). It sounded very, er, Dawson's Creek or something. It begged to be on some teen TV show soundtrack.

Richard Wood Johnson, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 18:34 (eighteen years ago)

Stoned was one of my fave songs!!!

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 18:35 (eighteen years ago)

I wish they still had the vid of them on The Word though, but there is footage of them playing the same song on another show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j9-ft9rKHY

Herman G. Neuname, Thursday, 16 August 2007 09:19 (eighteen years ago)

"Phaseshifter", easily. "Show World" was such a dissapointment after that.

Pashmina, Thursday, 16 August 2007 09:21 (eighteen years ago)

anyone got the mp3s of the Red Stripes project?

I can't do p2p type stuff...

Mark G, Thursday, 16 August 2007 09:29 (eighteen years ago)

ACTUALLY!!

(thanks! I see it now)

Mark G, Thursday, 16 August 2007 09:32 (eighteen years ago)

Anyone can do it.
Pash i don't think Show World is a disappointment at all.
Have you heard the Third Eye and Neurotica albums?

Herman G. Neuname, Thursday, 16 August 2007 14:39 (eighteen years ago)

Compare Robert now
http://www.fonart.com/masinfo/img/reddkross.jpg
http://www.transbuddha.com/images/uploads/RK3rdEye.jpg

Herman G. Neuname, Thursday, 16 August 2007 16:21 (eighteen years ago)

That Cats T-shirt made me laugh.

dad a, Thursday, 16 August 2007 16:30 (eighteen years ago)

Well I went out & bought in on the day of release & sure as hell thought it somewhat dreary & unmemorable, compared to "Phaseshifter" which I stil <3<3<3.

Pashmina, Thursday, 16 August 2007 16:39 (eighteen years ago)

i thought that too initially... it probably took me 10 listens to finally penetrate it.

Richard Wood Johnson, Thursday, 16 August 2007 16:43 (eighteen years ago)

It's rubbish.

everything, Thursday, 16 August 2007 16:45 (eighteen years ago)

I listened to it quite a bit at the time, and must concur with "everything".

Pashmina, Thursday, 16 August 2007 16:50 (eighteen years ago)

It is not rubbish.

Herman G. Neuname, Thursday, 16 August 2007 17:00 (eighteen years ago)

Well I thought it was pretty poor, sorry. :(

Pashmina, Thursday, 16 August 2007 17:04 (eighteen years ago)

Play it again!!

Herman G. Neuname, Thursday, 16 August 2007 17:47 (eighteen years ago)

One huge problem with this album for me is that it kicks off with "Pretty Please Me". What's the deal with old LA punkers and this song? It was the first shitty song that the Dickies ever recorded, despite Leonard Graves Phillips going on about how fantastic it was at the time. The question is, why are the Dickies even covering obscure, crappy songs like this anyway? There's a million tv themes and over-serious singer-songwriter numbers they could've murdered instead. Ditto for Redd Kross, who generally stick to originals on their "proper" albums and leave the goofy covers for their side projects etc. Even then, they commonly have the taste to tackle "Crazy Horses" or "Bat Macumba" but why this utterly shit song?

everything, Thursday, 16 August 2007 19:36 (eighteen years ago)

I like it too!

Herman G. Neuname, Thursday, 16 August 2007 19:49 (eighteen years ago)

I haven't heard the dickies version or the original actually.

Herman G. Neuname, Friday, 17 August 2007 10:00 (eighteen years ago)

Ok, I've heard the dickies version now. I like it as well.

Herman G. Neuname, Friday, 17 August 2007 18:39 (eighteen years ago)

At the point it was released it was their worst song. They corrected that later on though.

everything, Friday, 17 August 2007 19:06 (eighteen years ago)

Wha? It's a great song. The Dickies have countless songs that are worse than "Pretty Please Me".

Alex in NYC, Monday, 20 August 2007 01:49 (eighteen years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

ILX System, Monday, 20 August 2007 23:01 (eighteen years ago)

Wonder what will win.

Herman G. Neuname, Monday, 20 August 2007 23:57 (eighteen years ago)

get those votes in!

Herman G. Neuname, Tuesday, 21 August 2007 10:22 (eighteen years ago)

Went with Third Eye as I have always loved that album. Would've considered Neurotica but I think others will vote for that one. But really I could've chose any of the last 5.

Only really Born Innocent did nothing for me, wasn't a patch on the Red Cross ep.

Herman G. Neuname, Tuesday, 21 August 2007 15:07 (eighteen years ago)

Born Innocent >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Show World :P

Of course I like it though, it's their punk album.

Colonel Poo, Tuesday, 21 August 2007 15:16 (eighteen years ago)

Haha. The wrong way round Colonel! The red cross ep is great but I just can't get into the Born Innocent stuff apart from a few songs. The version of Linda Blair on "Trance Australian Tour 1992 cd" blows it all away though.
That version is fabulous!

Herman G. Neuname, Tuesday, 21 August 2007 19:26 (eighteen years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

ILX System, Tuesday, 21 August 2007 23:01 (eighteen years ago)

WTF??!! Neurotica with only 2 votes and Born Innocent with 5?

Herman G. Neuname, Tuesday, 21 August 2007 23:16 (eighteen years ago)

I listened to Neurotica the other day and was far from blown away, so no surprises here. Shocked that three people voted for Show World though (and Teen Babes).

everything, Tuesday, 21 August 2007 23:26 (eighteen years ago)

It's nice when the good records win. Sob for Phaseshifter, but Third Eye's just fine with me.

Bob Standard, Tuesday, 21 August 2007 23:30 (eighteen years ago)

Neurotica is usually most peoples pick though! Maybe others did like I and voted something else assuming Neurotica would win and of course for once it got hardly any votes.

Herman G. Neuname, Tuesday, 21 August 2007 23:36 (eighteen years ago)

But it's not that great. Peach Kelli Pop rulez, but a lot of the rest is a wash.

AMG sez: The album that spawned an entire movement — grunge. When Neurotica was released in 1987, it inspired hordes of punk/hardcore kids to put down the safety pins and pick up the guitar.

Ummm...

Bob Standard, Tuesday, 21 August 2007 23:41 (eighteen years ago)

lol as they say.

everything, Tuesday, 21 August 2007 23:42 (eighteen years ago)

But it is great!

Herman G. Neuname, Wednesday, 22 August 2007 01:29 (eighteen years ago)

Yeah I'm stunned by the results. Forgot to vote but would've definitely voted Neurotica. "Frosted Flake" is their summit.

Kevin John Bozelka, Wednesday, 22 August 2007 03:50 (eighteen years ago)

Redd Kross have 2 shows confirmed for November:

Nov 2 @ the Echoplex in LA, CA and Nov. 9 @ Slim's in San Francisco.

The band is currently recording the new studio album, and the
sessions are going great ... we'll have more news for you soon!

Best,

The RK Camp

Herman G. Neuname, Saturday, 1 September 2007 19:05 (eighteen years ago)

four months pass...

Look at what we have here, a Redd Kross UK date

May 9 @ All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival "ATP vs Pitchfork" - Sussex, England

Herman G. Neuname, Saturday, 19 January 2008 22:40 (eighteen years ago)

eight months pass...

How Neurotica only got two votes is beyond me.

Pfunkboy Formerly Known As... (Herman G. Neuname), Thursday, 25 September 2008 18:55 (seventeen years ago)

Phaseshifter is a very good album in the Nirvana mold, I think. A bit poppier but it rocks too.

Shushtari (res), Thursday, 25 September 2008 20:03 (seventeen years ago)

Actually, perhaps it is best described as the descendant of the first 4 cheap trick albums-- humor and subject matter included.

Shushtari (res), Thursday, 25 September 2008 20:08 (seventeen years ago)

one month passes...

Anyone got the new dvd?

Pfunkboy Formerly Known As... (Herman G. Neuname), Sunday, 26 October 2008 16:21 (seventeen years ago)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51wrgE6PabL._SS500_.jpg

Pfunkboy Formerly Known As... (Herman G. Neuname), Sunday, 26 October 2008 16:22 (seventeen years ago)

ahh it's november 4th its out
http://www.amazon.com/Got-Live-If-You-Must/dp/B001G9F4E6/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1225038096&sr=8-3

Pfunkboy Formerly Known As... (Herman G. Neuname), Sunday, 26 October 2008 16:23 (seventeen years ago)

six months pass...

^ well worth getting

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 22:39 (sixteen years ago)

Missed this thread. Can't believe Neurotica placed last.

Sundar, Tuesday, 28 April 2009 22:53 (sixteen years ago)

indeed

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 22:55 (sixteen years ago)

I might re-run it actually

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Tuesday, 28 April 2009 22:56 (sixteen years ago)

ten years pass...

I know this is ancient but I have to chime in.
How can so few people recognize "Neurotica" as THE best greatest definitive Redd Kross record? Hello???

apl, Thursday, 13 June 2019 15:19 (six years ago)


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