POLLelujah, it's a Happy Mondays albums poll!

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This, so far as I can see, hasn't been done for the Mondays. A string of good albums, with Yes Please! perhaps unfairly maligned. I must admit to not having heard Uncle Dysfunktional, but I suspect I'm not alone in that, and in the duty of democracy will give it a listen before voting.

I think I'll be voting for Bummed, though.

Poll Results

OptionVotes
Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches 23
Bummed 15
Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out) 4
Uncle Dysfunktional 2
Yes Please! 1


zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Saturday, 18 April 2009 18:17 (seventeen years ago)

Bummed it is.

ilxor, Saturday, 18 April 2009 18:29 (seventeen years ago)

I still listen to Pills... every now and again, so I'll go with that one.

Alex in NYC, Saturday, 18 April 2009 19:16 (seventeen years ago)

Pills, easy.

SORCEROUSES..roll on stage! (Pillbox), Saturday, 18 April 2009 19:18 (seventeen years ago)

i love Bummed, but it's definitely Pills...

mikebee (BATTAGS), Saturday, 18 April 2009 19:20 (seventeen years ago)

"Pills'n'Thrills'n'Bellyaches". He may have done great stuff for others, but getting rid of Martin Hannett as a producer still did Happy Mondays good.

Geir Hongro, Saturday, 18 April 2009 19:39 (seventeen years ago)

I love Pills... too, but Bummed really benefits from Hannett's production, I think. It sounds a bit like the Velvet Underground playing Can covers with a drugged-up Mark E smith on vocals, and is therefore amazing.

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Saturday, 18 April 2009 20:12 (seventeen years ago)

i'd vote for the u.s.-only hallelujah ep if i could, which hit them right at the midpoint between bummed and pills. absent that, it's a hard call for me between those two albums. love 'em both.

would you ask tom petty that? (tipsy mothra), Saturday, 18 April 2009 20:18 (seventeen years ago)

I wondered about including that and the Madchester Rave On EP, but then didn't because it muddies the waters. The latter would run Bummed close for me.

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Saturday, 18 April 2009 20:21 (seventeen years ago)

xpost: but wasn't that EP just basically a bunch of remixes of the title track with maybe one or two extra tracks?

SORCEROUSES..roll on stage! (Pillbox), Saturday, 18 April 2009 20:25 (seventeen years ago)

Discogs shows that their discography which was suitably chaotic. This was the first record I ever owned:
http://www.discogs.com/Happy-Mondays-Wrote-For-Luck/release/12753

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Saturday, 18 April 2009 20:32 (seventeen years ago)

wasn't that EP just basically a bunch of remixes of the title track with maybe one or two extra tracks?

it's really the madchester ep plus some remixes, but the remixes are great.

1. Hallelujah (MacColl Mix)
2. Clap Your Hands
3. Holy Ghost
4. Rave On
5. Hallelujah (Club Mix)
6. Rave On (Club Mix)
7. W.F.L. (Think About The Future Mix)

would you ask tom petty that? (tipsy mothra), Saturday, 18 April 2009 20:44 (seventeen years ago)

That W.F.L. remix was by Vince Clarke I think?

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Saturday, 18 April 2009 20:45 (seventeen years ago)

Squirrel & G-man is so underrated - great basslines (little matchstick owen!), good lyrics, subtle production.

zappi, Saturday, 18 April 2009 21:06 (seventeen years ago)

Has *anyone* heard Uncle Dysfunktional?

Ismael Klata, Saturday, 18 April 2009 21:32 (seventeen years ago)

This allmusic review makes it sound listenable, at least:
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:anfpxzw5ldse

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Saturday, 18 April 2009 21:48 (seventeen years ago)

meh. first couple tracks are okay-ish, and then it decends. i'm a massive mondays fan and i couldn't listen to it more than a few times.

mikebee (BATTAGS), Saturday, 18 April 2009 22:57 (seventeen years ago)

It's not really the Mondays, as any fule kno.

Bummed takes this. Love Pills, but the production is a bit too shiny, Step On is a bit too forced-in-for-commercial-reasons, and general radio overplaying of the Pills singles at the time let Bummed be more of a discrete, cohesive listen for me.

Although: I love the rigidness of the drum programming on God's Cop for what it is, but if they'd either used real drums with a big feel (Great When You're Straight style) or just a boomy 808, that alone could probably take Pills over the line.

Bostin' Legal (sic), Sunday, 19 April 2009 02:42 (seventeen years ago)

Yeah, sure I could vote for Pills, which might even win. But I'm going for Squirrel & G. Man because no one fucking gives it any attention and I happen to remember when it first came out and they sounded like a right mad knock-off of The Fall and they ruled even THEN folks. They had a pretty goddamn unique sound right at the starting gates.

Earl of Gothington Manor (Bimble), Sunday, 19 April 2009 08:31 (seventeen years ago)

Also, John Cale produced it, and even though I'm rather a fanatic for Martin Hannett otherwise, I think Bummed was a tragic case of the wrong band for him to produce at the wrong time.

Earl of Gothington Manor (Bimble), Sunday, 19 April 2009 08:35 (seventeen years ago)

Wrong time I can see, but wrong band? What makes you say that?

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Sunday, 19 April 2009 20:35 (seventeen years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

System, Saturday, 25 April 2009 23:01 (seventeen years ago)

Oh I didn't tell everyone that I voted Bummed cos of its rich, thick gloopiness plus the presence of "Mad Cyril" plus the absence of "Step On FFS Get a Grip You Cocks".

Easy Hippo Rider (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 25 April 2009 23:19 (seventeen years ago)

I actually went to a listening session for the press just prior to Yes, Please (also in attendance: Michael Azerrad). We only got to say hi to S.Ryder, because he was evidently in no shape to chat with the press. Instead, we got to sit down and have a chin-wag with producers Tina Weymouth & Chris Frantz ... which was bizarre.

Alex in NYC, Saturday, 25 April 2009 23:30 (seventeen years ago)

Oh I meant to add that Yes Please is close to being as goods as Pills and gets unfairly slated by people who don't listen to it.

Eugenecist Levy (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 25 April 2009 23:32 (seventeen years ago)

It's not terrible, but c'mon.... it's leagues beneath Pills...

Alex in NYC, Saturday, 25 April 2009 23:34 (seventeen years ago)

Srsly as someone who lived the Mondays at the time...Pills' peaks are probly higher but it has 3 or 4 duff tracks whereas YP soars lower but more consistently.

Eugenecist Levy (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 25 April 2009 23:38 (seventeen years ago)

I beg to differ, but I'm not gonna fight you on that point. I have beers to drink.

Alex in NYC, Saturday, 25 April 2009 23:41 (seventeen years ago)

http://www.artscandinavia.dk/KROYER/HipHip.Hurra_Kunstnerfest_pa_Skagen._1888.jpg

Disagreeing is what makes us strong.

Eugenecist Levy (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 25 April 2009 23:50 (seventeen years ago)

Bummed, easily.

Enormous Epic (Matt DC), Saturday, 25 April 2009 23:56 (seventeen years ago)

Happy Mondays made a reunion album two years ago??? This is the first I've heard about it!

Mr. Snrub, Sunday, 26 April 2009 02:45 (seventeen years ago)

It's just Shaun and the drummer and a bunch of session dudes. (Maybe not even the drummer, I've not seen a copy.)

Bostin' Legal (sic), Sunday, 26 April 2009 04:57 (seventeen years ago)

Dennis and Fucking Lois

SORCEROUSES..roll on stage! (Pillbox), Sunday, 26 April 2009 05:34 (seventeen years ago)

I have been listening to a lot of HM lately. <3.

ENBB, Sunday, 26 April 2009 05:36 (seventeen years ago)

Went with Bummed as I predicted. Great record!

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Sunday, 26 April 2009 10:54 (seventeen years ago)

I beg to differ, but I'm not gonna fight you on that point. I have beers to drink.

^^^real talk, I think this needs to be my new mantra.

Disruptor of Morals (Bimble), Sunday, 26 April 2009 11:43 (seventeen years ago)

not really

FREE DOM AND ETHAN (special guest stars mark bronson), Sunday, 26 April 2009 11:47 (seventeen years ago)

yeah, really

Disruptor of Morals (Bimble), Sunday, 26 April 2009 11:48 (seventeen years ago)

Bummed for me. Sneering, swaggering lyrics and grimy, drunken rhythms - all dope smoke and hallucinogen mirrors. I've been listening to Olive Oil from 24hr Party People a lot recently, too.

Abbe Black Tentacle (GamalielRatsey), Sunday, 26 April 2009 13:07 (seventeen years ago)

i hate myself for saying it, but pills 'n' thrills - Bummed is an extremely close second though.

ABSOLUTELY NO SCRUBS WHATSOEVER, Sunday, 26 April 2009 17:13 (seventeen years ago)

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

System, Sunday, 26 April 2009 23:01 (seventeen years ago)

Okay, that's a bit of a surprise after all the love for Bummed on this thread.

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Monday, 27 April 2009 10:09 (seventeen years ago)

How in fuck's name did I miss this thread? Would have voted for Pills ... anyway.

a tiny, faltering megaphone (grimly fiendish), Monday, 27 April 2009 10:12 (seventeen years ago)

I'm listening to Bummed now as consolation!

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Monday, 27 April 2009 10:15 (seventeen years ago)

I would have voted Squirrel and G-Man - which I suspect is the Mondays album for people who don't really like the Mondays (ie. like me).

baaderonixx, Monday, 27 April 2009 12:55 (seventeen years ago)

Why anyone would vote for Unkle or Yes Please is beyond me...

I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Monday, 27 April 2009 14:05 (seventeen years ago)

"Yes Please" is fine.

I *could* have voted for it, for purely personal pleasure reasons.

Mark G, Monday, 27 April 2009 14:12 (seventeen years ago)

Hmm, so I looked last night, and it turns out I don't own Bummed. I think I may pick it up, since I like Pills and Thrills…

THESE ARE MY FEELINGS! FEEL MY FEELINGS! (I eat cannibals), Monday, 27 April 2009 17:12 (seventeen years ago)

six years pass...

Here's my ranking in order...

1. Bummed
2. Yes Please
3. Squirrel and G-Man etc
4. Pills and Thrills
xx Live - doesn't count
xx Uncle Dysfunctional - not heard.

Basically, all four are great. Anyone noticed they all are 10-tracks each?

Mark G, Wednesday, 8 July 2015 11:56 (ten years ago)

And the best track?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCCn9nlIrzk

Mark G, Wednesday, 8 July 2015 11:58 (ten years ago)

six months pass...

http://thequietus.com/articles/19636-happy-mondays-bummed

Shaun would come in with papers that he’d written and you’d loop a three or four minute section of these grooves that had overdubs. Then he would sit, crossed-legged on the floor, with headphones on and listen to that for an hour before he’d do anything. And then sometimes he’d get up and start experimenting with some lines. All the time he was doing this, Bez would be in the room with him, dancing. All the time. I don’t remember Shaun ever doing anything without Bez being there. Over a period of hours Shaun would settle on a set of lyrics that worked for him and then Martin would be on the talk back and then something would get laid down.

john. a resident of chicago., Monday, 1 February 2016 09:39 (ten years ago)

Squirrel & G-man is so underrated - great basslines (little matchstick owen!), good lyrics, subtle production.

OTM, bass playing rules on that album.

The Return of the Thin White Pope (Tom D.), Monday, 1 February 2016 10:12 (ten years ago)

I go back to Shaun Ryder for one last word, trying to squeeze one further snippet of information, of any kind, about his time in Driffield, to which he responds, “Banging a few of those girls that worked as waitresses [in the pub – The Norseman] and having parties every night, I can’t remember the recording process at all. I just can’t fucking remember us doing one thing in that place, really. Sorry.”

sounds about right. I just got done writing a little piece on this album myself, this is exactly how I imagined the recording sessions going. such a strange album, I've heard it two dozen times and still find myself surprised at how disjointed and surreal some of it is. the 2-disc version from 2009 is essential, maybe you don't need 6 versions of WFL or 5 of Hallelujah but there's so much good stuff in there

frogbs, Monday, 1 February 2016 14:41 (ten years ago)

Those 2CD editions are hard to find for less than £20 or so.

Mark G, Monday, 1 February 2016 15:14 (ten years ago)

two years pass...

Exactly 30 years ago this week, the video for 'Wrote For Luck' by Happy Mondays was filmed. My new piece for @ilovemcr on the filming. Out of a whole bunch of chaos, a brilliant 3 minutes 20 seconds of video emerged... The whole story here; https://t.co/0VaaLIYgrN

— Dave Haslam (@Mr_Dave_Haslam) October 18, 2018

groovypanda, Thursday, 18 October 2018 19:35 (seven years ago)

five years pass...

We haven't polled Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches yet?

RIP Say Hey Kid (Bee OK), Monday, 1 July 2024 05:49 (one year ago)

The "Wrote for Luck" video I recall was played on Night Network, it was the original single mix and Shaun Ryder mimingish. I don't know where that one lives, apart from my save tape VHS in the loft.

Didn't so much change my mind as confirm what I wanted to hear/see/do...

Mark G, Monday, 1 July 2024 11:36 (one year ago)

yeah bee, i noticed that a few years ago. i don't have the clout around here to be starting a poll with such significance but ofc i would be into the idea.

interstellar anthropologist+music philosopher, (Austin), Monday, 1 July 2024 16:26 (one year ago)

As it happens: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/happy-mondays-pills-n-thrills-and-bellyaches/

the talented mr pimply (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 1 July 2024 16:26 (one year ago)

...yes, please!!!

interstellar anthropologist+music philosopher, (Austin), Monday, 1 July 2024 16:40 (one year ago)


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