Needs a domestic reissue
11/19/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Conventional wisdom says that "Baby's Got A Gun" is the weakest of the three Only Ones studio albums, and it does have the most filler of any of them. But there are spectacular highs here, such as "Why Don't You Kill Yourself?" "Me and My Shadow," "Oh Lucinda," and best of all, "The Big Sleep." The album's sound is the cleanest the Only Ones ever enjoyed (or maybe hated?--the album was produced by Colin Thurston, who later produced Duran Duran), at times erring on the side of antiseptic thinness--a little more volume on the guitars would have been nice, although the crisply recorded rhythm section is appreciated. But despite the band's rapid breakdown into personal animosity and drug abuse, they still play great here.The first side is consistently fine, containing three of the great tracks mentioned previously and some other good ones; side two is mostly minor tracks or throwaways. "My Way Out of Here" has a Buddy Holly-type beat and was written by Alan Mair, and I can't tell if it's him singing part of it, all of it, or it's Perrett singing entirely out of character. "Fools" is a country cover sung as a duet with Pauline Murray (remember Penetration?). Only "Re-Union" and "The Big Sleep" really register as strong Only Ones tracks. Obviously, Perrett was running a bit short on songs by this album; as most of the best tracks here had been in the live set for awhile.Still, any Only Ones fan won't want to miss this, and a remastered U.S. version with bonus tracks (how about the title song that wasn't released on the album?) would be much appreciated."
I DON`T AGREE
HOTEMETOOT | HOLLAND | 09/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don`t agree Baby`s Got a Gun as being the worse album.
For me and others it`s the best album made by The Only Ones.
This is the most melodic and it got emotions.
No more punk, but great emotional rock/new wave music where you can here someone showing his emotianal problems and shares them with the world.
I own it for 25 years now and it`s still one of my most favourite albums.
So, no I don`t agree."
AN UNDERRATED CLASSIC
Mr. Wayne Olsen | New Jersey, USA | 06/09/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Is it only me? Am I the only person who thinks this is one of the greatest albums ever made? I've loved this record since it came out, practically every song is exceptional. First, "My Way Out of Here," in which Alan Mair impersonates Peter Perrett's singing, ina song so heartfelt and moving. Of Perrett's own songs, "Oh Lucinda," the Spokky Tooth-ish "Me and My Shadow" and "Big Sleep",' the wonderfully giddy "Happy Pilgrim," the beautiful "Deadly Nightshade."
Interesting that the album sequence was changed drastically for the US release, which is the one I fell in love with.
Anyway, this album is due to be re-appraised someday. I'll write the damn liner notes for the Deluxe Edition."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1