A large part of rock's pleasures come from the artful buildup of tension and its subsequent, joyful release. Impeccable Los Angeles guitar band the Dream Syndicate had mastered this dramatic formula so well by the time of ... more »this, their debut long player, that they soon abandoned it in favor of much less satisfying attempts at subtlety. The Dream Syndicate were heralded in their day as part of the neo-psychedelic Paisley Underground scene. But they had more in common with New York's Television (for mighty guitar-interplay rave-ups) or poetic punk bands like X and the Flesh Eaters (for dark-side-of-the-street, edgy subject matter). Sure, Steve Wynn and mates were also influenced by the Velvets, Neil Young, and the Doors. But the coolest thing they did was to graft the slashing, jagged, jammy guitar lines and drowsy sexuality from the best classic rock with the fast-paced and ironic, devil-may-care sensibility of postmodern punk--a sound that years later would be called indie rock. --Mike McGonigal« less
A large part of rock's pleasures come from the artful buildup of tension and its subsequent, joyful release. Impeccable Los Angeles guitar band the Dream Syndicate had mastered this dramatic formula so well by the time of this, their debut long player, that they soon abandoned it in favor of much less satisfying attempts at subtlety. The Dream Syndicate were heralded in their day as part of the neo-psychedelic Paisley Underground scene. But they had more in common with New York's Television (for mighty guitar-interplay rave-ups) or poetic punk bands like X and the Flesh Eaters (for dark-side-of-the-street, edgy subject matter). Sure, Steve Wynn and mates were also influenced by the Velvets, Neil Young, and the Doors. But the coolest thing they did was to graft the slashing, jagged, jammy guitar lines and drowsy sexuality from the best classic rock with the fast-paced and ironic, devil-may-care sensibility of postmodern punk--a sound that years later would be called indie rock. --Mike McGonigal
CD Reviews
One of the best albums of the 1980's
03/27/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow, has it been 17 or so years since this terrific album was released? I've been listening to this at least once a week ever since i first bought this album when it came out. And, I know this sounds like a cliche but I really think this album hasn't aged a bit. From the rollicking Definitely Clean to the hard-hitting title track, this album doesn't contain a single clunker, unlike the current alt-rock acts who release albums of one good song and 10 or so fillers. What else can I say? This is simply a terrific album."
Great Album!
Chad Bagley | Shanghai China/Provo, UT | 05/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Dream Syndicate produced two great albums; Medicine Show and The Days of Wine & Roses (I should also add their self titled first EP). Both are highly under-rated recordings from an under-rated band. If your interested in listening to some seminal recordings from one of the finest undergroud bands of the 80's- check both of them out. Unfortunately the Dream Syndicate lost it's edge after Medicine Show so I can't recommend their last three albums as whole-heartedly."
A solid band from an era of solid but forgotten bands
Robert H. Nunnally Jr. | Allen, TX United States | 11/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Dream Syndicate share with a number of other fine 1980s bands the distinction of being a great band doing straight ahead American rock in an era when public attention was turned to other genres. Their particular take on post-punk was heavy on the "post", light on the "punk", as their influences--Lou Reed,
the Doors, and, in the case of their guitarist, the "acid rock" extended jam, were combined with a melodic and lyrical sense that was not simply retro. The centerpiece of this album is the band's finest song, "Tell Me When It's Over". This song sounds like the best song Lou Reed never wrote, and in particular, the
line "I thought I knew the answer, but no question was posed"
sums up a lot of moments a lot of us had and still have. This is excellent, intelligent, driving rock, well worth owning.
I just wish they'd re-release "This is NOT the New Dream Syndicate Album! Live!" in CD."
Outstanding!
Robert H. Nunnally Jr. | 02/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One of the strongest albums, track for track, that I've ever heard. The distorted interplay between the lead and rythmn guitars is worthy of Lennon/Harrison. Their Velvet Underground influence is obvious and I always felt this was the greatest album from the early 80's neo-psychedelic movement. A classic!"
Great album
Robert H. Nunnally Jr. | 10/22/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The secret weapon is the out-of-control seeming lead guitar, but if you like Lou Reed's voice on "Sister Ray" you'll dig Steve Wynn here. As someone else commented: not one bad song."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1