Would be great if it were 7 minutes long
goodmanbrown | Minneapolis, MN USA | 04/21/2003
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Unlike the 30 second and one minute gems on the E.P.s and "Death Church," the songs on "Pope Adrian" are *really long.* But the longer track lengths certainly do not indicate more developed songwriting. Most every song here consists of a single lyric repeated for three to four minutes. This tries my patience. Sixty repetitions of a single two-word phrase is too much."Pope Adrian" has none of fire, originality, or energy, of the band's earlier work. The song length, repetition, and total absence of hooks together result in an album that consistently fails to involve the listener.If you are new to RP, this is the worst place to start. Go for "The EPs of RP" or "Death Church," both classics of the genre. If you are a fan of these two albums, itching for more, I won't be able to stop you. But I'll sleep better tonight knowing I tried."
Pappas Adrianus... Pappas Adrianus... Pappas Adrianus...
Clark B. Timmins | West Jordan, UT USA | 09/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"'Pope Adrian 37th' (Released 1995 / 12 Tracks) Just under 1/2 hour of themed music, the entire EP set against a droning RP voice chanting "Pappas Adrianus... Pappas Adrianus... Pappas Adrianus..."; one of the stranger punk EPs of all time, yet strangely compelling. It took me a few listens to really get into this EP, but something about it always brings me back. This was a turning point for the band--after seven years of inactivity it was widely assumed they were no more. Also, with this release RP adopts their apparently formulaic schedule of one 12-track EP every couple of years."