guy922's Full Review: Waking Up with the House on Fire [Bonus Tracks] [R...
The 1980’s spawned a menagerie of musical acts. Many were one hit wonders, whose songs you remember before you’ll ever know the groups name. Other groups were very memorable, had many fans, and sold millions of records, music videos, you name it. If it was successful and profitable, they were there, soaking it all up. This much is true of Culture Club. The British quartet who have several number one and top ten singles in the early 1980’s. Their 1982 debut, Kissing to Be Clever, and the late-1983 follow up, Colour by Numbers spawned several hit records and the albums themselves became big sellers.
Few at the time could ignore Culture Club. It for the most part was a pretty average group with, typical radio friendly material and albums. The group was Bassist Mike Craig, Drummer Roy Hay, and Guitarist Jon Moss. Of course other players sit in on occasion for a horn section, keyboarding, and the essentials. The front man of the group was George O’Dowd, better known amongst you as Boy George. George was known for his very different and noticeable style. He was not a cross dresser proper, you know, he didn’t wear dresses, but he did toe the gender line, with his wild hairdos and excellently applied makeup. He also had a distinctively brooding tenor, particularly ideal for soulful singing.
This brings me to the object of my review. The groups third album, 1984’s Waking up with the House on Fire. This album, like the previous two, had its hits, with singles like The War Song, The Dive, and The Medal Song. However, by this time the groups sound had altered too drastically, with the drum machine taking the place of most live instruments. I want to make something clear; when a band, who has used live instruments, which are far more enjoyable and I know many agree with that, drum machines seem like a cop out. An easy way out for people who now think success is owed to them. Its not. Its taking your fan base for granted and leads to poorly selling albums, but this also depends on time period and genre.
The albums opener, Dangerous Man, backs me up on my last statement. This track is a boring opener. The music is lifeless and has a light feeling to it. Light meaning empty. There is just not enough instrumentation. I don’t hear a bass line for most of the song and the guitars seem to be just as inconspicuous. Lyrically, the song is crap. I know that culture club is not a band known for deep, meaningful songs, but this is just ridiculous. The War Song improves a bit however on the last tracks shortcomings. This song is a war protest, but it’s a silly one. It’s bright and fun, with an infectious groove and cornball lyrics. This is one of the stronger tracks amongst the rest of the album.
Unfortunate Thing is a middle o the road track. It doesn’t really impress me but it’s not a gross disappointment. It brings back the horn section most people associate with the group’s music. The music is a tad bland. It has potential but the finished product doesn’t impress. Crime Time its one of those tracks from the mid 1980’s that has a 1950’s sound. With its trumpets and constant pauses in the song. The song otherwise is forgettable. The writing on this track is actually pretty bad, again, no one is going to give the group any writing awards, but this is just bad. I don’t make the connection between “love stops knocking” and “crime time” or maybe it’s just a bad metaphor. Whatever the case, keep it away from me!
Mistake No. 3 gets us back on track for a while. It’s a particularly beautiful ballad, and one of my personal favorites. Again, writing is no knockout, with lyrics like “why is my love like an ocean run dry”, but it satisfies. Music is alright, but the synths on this track sometimes sound like bad church organ music. The Dive is another favorite. Its somewhat dreamy production and George’s more assertive vocal performance are all great. The Medal Song keeps the favorites coming with this sort of “goodbye” track. George sounds remorseful as he croons “Life will never be the same as it was again.” The song has a bigger, fatter sound that many other tracks lack on this alum. This is definitely one of the few standout tracks.
The only other track worth anything to me is Hello Goodbye. This is the only album track I would recommend at all from this album. The music gets you right of the bat with screams and immediate hooks. The music, complete with a more assertive guitar and bass performance, grinds and a is actually a great track. Definitely would have mad a great single.
However, by now you may have gathered that the pickings are quite slim. In 2003, the group’s first three albums were remastered and bonus tracks were included in the project. 1986’s From Luxury to Heartache was not remastered. The bonus tracks here include La Cancion De Guerra. which is The War Song with a Spanish chorus. The rest of the song is still performed en ingles. Love is Love and The Dream, are from the film Electric Dreams, but are simply bland and sound the same. Finally we have Don’t Go down That Street which has potential at the beginning. It has decent lyrics but by the end the song becomes an extended mix at almost seven minutes long. I end the songs usually after the singing stops. There is also a lot of mumbling in what sounds like its supposed to be Japanese, but by the end you won’t care and you will be throwing this album into the fireplace or the trash compactor.
Last Thoughts? Waking up with the House on Fire is a sellout effort. This is where the guys got sloppy. The enjoyed some success for a while, but really blew it here. The crappy drum machines, the writing, and even in some spots the vocals are not what you would expect from Culture Club. But by this time, drug and relationship problems had taken their toll on the group and in 1986 George checked into rehab. This album is not a justifiable purchase by any means, and if you must have the hit singles, I suggest picking up a Greatest Hits collection or downloading them. This album is not worth much money at all. Also, Helen Terry, who did a lot of singing in the group on various tracks, is missing. She is only included for a moment on The War Song. She is a great singer, with a heavy, soulful wail. Her absence is noticeable and only adds to the disaster that is Waking up with the House on Fire is something you will never need if you just want the essentials. If you are a completist, Id get out the valium before putting this one on to play!
Great Music To play While:
Trying to give yourself a brain aneurism.
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