I DO (Johnny Paden/Frank Paden/Jesse Smith/Willie Stephenson/Melvin Mason)Īll songs written by Peter Wolf/Seth Justman unless noted. ![]() Their last album on Atlantic and the only one credited to Geils (the group), Monkey Island may have found the band at a career crossroads, yet in retrospect it’s something of a missing link between the old R&B all stars and the consummate rock stars of Sanctuary, Love Stinks and Freeze-Frame. Geils Band had managed to break down the studio barriers that box in most working bands. Songs like “Monkey Island,” “Surrender” and “Wreckage” are good (and different) ideas that are well executed, suggesting that The J. ![]() Geils Band was a working group whose songwriting was quickly catching up with their live performances. In an era when most popular music was pre-fabricated crap, the working bands were the underdogs. They’re musicians’ musicians, they write good songs in a variety of styles, they pay homage where it’s due (how many rock bands would invite Cissy Houston to sing their opening track?) and their live energy spills over into the studio. After listening to Monkey Island, I’m beginning to understand why rock critics liked these guys. Geils Band consisted of countless hours spent listening to Freeze-Frame and a compulsion to say the words “Love Stinks” in a low voice whenever the aforementioned song is playing on the radio. Up to this point, my connection to The J. It contains the ballad “You’re The Only One” (a minor hit), a swell remake of The Marvelows’ “I Do” and seven more solid tracks of R&B-based rock & roll that some have compared to The Rolling Stones (not my comparison) and which I would file alongside Mott the Hoople, Graham Parker, Steve Miller Band, Blue Oyster Cult and the smarter 70s rock bands who respected their R&B roots. Monkey Island is generally regarded as one of Geils’ better efforts. So if you’re thinking of writing a concept album and know a thing or two about monkeys, the field is still wide open. I bought this disc because I thought it might be a concept album about monkeys. Note: The band was so used to being called "Geils" by their fans they released this album that way dropping the "J" and "Band.Ronomyth 9.0: PRIMATE GEILS. Bonus- Cissy Houston wailing well with Wolf on Surrender. I used to give this one out as gifts to every friend and they all found something on it they liked. The band is tight, Wolf is outstanding as always, and the assortment of songs showed their musical talents very well. It wont be complete without it and you will not regret it!. I truly recommend this masterpiece of vintage vinyl for your collection. This album will get your heart pumping with cuts such as "Surrender" and "Somebody", but at the same time, move you spiritually through the darken hallways of lifes challenges with songs such as "Im Falling" and "Wreckage". A jazzy blues mixed with a freight train of boogie effects!. Simply pure and transcendent with hypnotising symphonics for the senses when pushed through the proper system. The title track song in itself, "Monkey Island", will stereoize a roller coatser ride like no other. This album has an extremely powerful and dynamic range of peaks for any listening experience. By the time of 1977's Monkey Island the band seemed a little confused by it all and maybe even a bit weary of the effort to make it on their own terms. ![]() Even the awe-inspiring live album Blow Your Face Out, the band's near-maniacal dedication to the live stage, and their nonstop presence on the FM dial couldn't get them a hit album. "Can you hear me Wolfy? The house is still shaking since June, 1977. Geils Band's chart profile had been steadily slipping since the Top Ten success of their third record, Bloodshot. Title cut arguably their best studio effort since Blood Shot. I couldve said goodbye to them here and lived without Freeze Frame, et al. Side 2 is the perfect display of history and looking forward to uncharted waters no pun intended. Their most mature album without losing the funk. Stoke up "Monkey Island" and "Wreckage" on a good system for maximum sonic joy. ![]() Geils best album in my opinion- also the only one that doesnt drag me back to the seventies.
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