Better Be Good

Artist: The Real Kids
Label: Norton
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 731253026621
EAN: 0731253026621
ASIN: B00000JT31

Release Date: 1999-11-02

Better Be Good

Related Categories:

Punk

| Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

American Punk

| Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General

| Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock

| Pop | Styles | Music

General

| Rock | Styles | Music

Tracks:

All Kindsa Girls
Common At Noon
Solid Gold
Better Be Good
Just Like Darts
Roberta
Reggae Reggae
Taxi Boys
She
Up Is Up
Now You Know
She Come Alive
My Way
She's Alright
Do The Boob
My Baby's Book
Rave On
All Kindsa Girls

Customer Reviews:

I ain't mad at you, doncha be mad at me.......2007-02-21

The original Real Kids LP schools this version in many ways. First of all, this CD for the most part, is not construed of alternate takes, but actually alternate mixes. I not really quite fond of this mix either, as it seems to push John Felice's vocals in front of the guitars. Not to be hypercritical, but John has the type of vocals that sound best sung amidst a roar of guitar noise, not above it. I am pretty sure that it is the vocals that are the alternate takes, as the songs are mostly the same length as the ones on the LP (save for "Reggae Reggae" which has another 30 seconds of guitar solo on Better Be Good and comes to a direct stop, instead of fading out). The vocals also have a touch of reverb on them in the original that is absent in this version of the album. Felice's alternate vocals on this version The Real Kids just come off as a little forced. He seems to yell until his voice breaks. Other changes include the absence of hand claps from the "Better Be Good" chorus, as well as the piano solo (from Mono Mann of the Lyres) on "Roberta." The Better Be Good version of this song sounds like it is missing something, even when you haven't heard the original mix with the overdub.

The CD version of the original Real Kids album is a little quieter than this one, but all one has to do is crank up the volume. It is also a little crackly, like it was taken off a vinyl, but I kind of like that touch. On Better Be Good, the mix is completely clean. It is not what I would consider a rawer sound. Keep in mind, I bought Better Be Good before I heard the original version.

Still, this disc is not completely without merit. The single versions of "All Kindsa Girls" and "Common At Noon" are really good and so are the Bomp EP tracks. That's the other problem, though. Not only did they change the track order (I don't mind that so much), but they stuck this EP right in the middle of the album, where it doesn't belong. After I bought this disc, I was kicking myself I didn't buy the self-titled version. I could still tell that these were great songs, but I felt that something was off. If you can get the original self titled disc, by all means, buy it before this one.

An aural typhoon!.......2006-08-08

How many bands from the golden era(1977 & after)are you able to listen to without smiling/grinning?
No doubt the Real Kids are part of the selection ,mainly because their frontman,John Felice ,could write songs with an irresistible hook.
On this cd,you'll find the 1st single,with "Common at noon"a heartbreaking ballad;an altenative version of their first LP,containing a handful of teenage classics perfectly played and there are other cuts from later incarnations of the band.

If you're a fan,you must have this cd;if you don't know the Kids,get ready to experience an aural typhoon from the kind of band the USA periodically generate(think of the Flamin' Groovies,for instance).
Well,last but not lest,in case you didn't know,the Kids were stars in France,but could it be enough to pay the rent?

Awesome.......2001-08-03

This album is priceless to me, it is that good. Garage/power pop at it's finest. Check out songs like "Common at Noon", "Solid Gold", "Taxi Boys", "Now you Know" & Up Is UP" for some solid great songs. The rest of the CD is excellent as well. If you like your power pop noisy and Stones infuence you LOVE this. Great buy...

garage rock rools.......2000-08-08

incredibly hot unearthed sludge that hangs together like a train. raw garage riffin' with a beantown veneer circa the only era that mattered, '76-ish, plus or minus. waffled on the star ratings, even tho a 5 could be a no-brainer in the right circumstances, like sitting home alone on a saturday night with a cheap can o beer and no gal.

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