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Carter
USM Album Mini-Reviews
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101 Damnations |
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Carter's first album is a sparkling
debut mixing punk rock guitars with dancable drum machine beats. Often sited
as The Clash meets The Pet Shop Boys - Carter rocks. Chock full o' samples
and puns. Best song: The Taking of Peckham 123 Worst song: Crimestoppers A' Go-Go |
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30 Something 1991 |
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30 Something comes off as 101 Damnations slightly
older brother. It's the same sort of music and it's still brilliant but
it's just ever so slightly more grown up somehow. Best song: A Prince In A Pauper's Grave Worst song: Surfin' USM |
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1992: The Love Album 1992 |
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The third album loses half a skull for being
so short. Blame the Rolling Stones. The amazing single After the Watershed
was supposed to be on this album. This is Carter at their most mellow and
sad. Best song: While You Were Out Worst song: 1993 |
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Post Historic Monsters 1994 |
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This is more like it. This is a fully realized
rock and roll album. The boys still use a drum machine but the sound is
much more refined and songy vs dancy. Best song: Lean On Me I Won't Fall Over Worst song: 2 Million Years BC |
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Starry Eyed and Bollock Naked 1994 |
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Ah, B-sides. I love b-sides and Carter has
plenty of awesome ones. Starry Eyed collects the non-covers
and gives us a chance to hear these rarities. It's chronological so you
can track their musical progress. Best song: Turn On, Tune In, Switch Off Worst song: Is This the Only Way to Get Through To You? |
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Worry Bomb 1995 |
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Worry Bomb starts a whole new
era for Carter. They tossed out the drum machine and hired a human being.
The result is Post Historic Monsters x10! This album is what
it's all about. Best song: The Life and Soul of the Party Dies Worst song: Worry Bomb |
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A World Without Dave 1996 |
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A World Without Dave is a stripped
down mini-album of surprising depth. No longer hiding behind a wall of sound,
the vocals and guitars come to the front, showing off the song-writing genius
that is Jim Bob. Best song: Johnny Cash Worst song: Road Rage |
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I Blame the Government 1997 |
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This was recorded as the final album and it
shows. The boys were tired of being Carter and ready for their new solo
projects. This album sounds like a tired collection of leftovers. Luckily,
leftover Carter still rocks. Best song: 23:59 End of the World Worst song: Psycho Bill |
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Carter USM: Live! 1998 |
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The posthumous live album is worthwhile if
only for its inclusion of the super rare track Elvis Lives! and the cover
of Kraftwerk's The Model. Best song: Elvis Lives Worst song: Rent |
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Carter USM: Sessions 1998 |
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The even more posthumous BBC Sessions collection
is pretty good, I guess but doesn't contain anything super special. Best song: Johnny Cash Worst song: Sheriff Fatman |
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