.com A bunch of hard-to-find B sides and out-of-print singles are collected here in one nice, little package. This is the Helmet I prefer--the one less interested in hammering the listener with gargantuan riffs than in the squall a guitar is capable of making within the confines of a bludgeoning rock song. The cover of the Melvins' "Oven" (available originally on a Sub Pop Singles Club comp) is certainly a highlight, as are the four songs from their first demo, two of which became the rare "Born Annoying" 7." Kudos to Am Rep for making all this stuff available on one CD, but where the hell's "Impressionable," the best Helmet song ever? --Adem Tepedelen
R**E
It looks great and came in a protected wrapped package
YAAAA-HOOOO !!! Just got my HELMET cd today. It looks great and came in a protected wrapped package..Can't WAIT to play it.. ALL my LOVE and BLESSINGS to you and your crew Danielle. GOD BLESS THE HEAVY METAL FAMILIES.....!!!! your friend Phily...
E**N
This CD is so good, it's sick!
So there's the independent label Helmet and the major label one. 'Born Annoying' contains the group's singles, outtakes and other loose ends (but not the song "Impressionable" which was on a comp only, grrr) and is sooo good it just boggles the mind. The production is gritty, the guitars are heavy, the songs alternate between heavy groove and faster, punky songs and there are a couple of covers you might recognize from Killing Joke and the Melvins. Mmmm, let's see. If you are completely unfamiliar with Helmet, that is know nothing about 'Meantime' and 'Betty' and so forth, then this is a terrific place to start since your ears wouldn't have been tainted by the major label stuff (which isn't bad but quite a bit less interesting). That stuff is normal alternative metal. This stuff uses odd tunings reminiscent of Glenn Branca or Sonic Youth yet combines them with heavy, collosal and catchy riffs. I think people overuse terms like "thinking man's metal" but this stuff is heavy, smart and catchy. What else ya need?
E**D
Blistering punk!
Heard this for the first time yesterday. It shreds! Something I'm not really hearing in the other reviews: this is straight up punk. Great guitars and super-tight drumming, and some really great tempo changes. The vocals remind me of Bob Mould on Hüsker Dü's equally insane 'Metal Circus'. The only thing it doesn't share with most punk albums is short songs. I like Helmet's other stuff but I'd kill to get another punk album like this from them.
W**G
The Artwork... The bands BEST!
If you have read my other reviews on this band, I said that "Strap it on" was one great Album, but this is the BEST I think.Many fans of Helmet was introduced to them by their album "Betty" (Just like me). You remember the Harmonics, the pleasure? Well forget it on this album. This Album of B Sides is the true Helmet orgin. The tracks are all Unique compared to their more listened to tracks like Milquetoast, Repetition, Unsung just to name a few. I dont think I have ever heard a song quite like the Album's Title Song "Born Annoying", and only Helmet can make it work. The beginning of "Shirley Mcclaine" blew me away the first time I heard it. I looked down at my radio and said to myself "Holy S#%#!" Even the song /Punk sound "Taken" blew me away. The bands Instrumental's (Rumble and No Nicky No) are good songs if you want to beat the crap out of someone.The only track I did not like was the Remake of Born Annoying. It went to fast, and the Chorus wasnt as good as the Original one. But thats why there is a skip option on CD Players.If you want to hear Helmet at their prime, pick up this album if you can find it. There is a reason why the Album Label was called "Noise".
L**T
Meantime is their best album by far
I picked up this album years ago at a Media Play. no longer around in the area I'm in. Meantime is their best album by far, but this album..... An all time great. I've seen every tour for every album and some tours in between. Helmet laid a foundation of music quality that I soon discovered I compare every to all new explorations. Those that have purchased, you've done no wrong and possible all right. No self glory with this post. Just a horns up to all that have found and will discover this band. " Killing hurts,has to be done. Peace and love,who's #1 "
R**E
A must-own for the Helmet fan
It's good, solid, rhythmic, precise rock. John Stanier is one of the most underrated drummers out there. "Taken" is probably my favorite track on this collection... "Oven" and "No Nicky No" feel a bit like filler, but it's good filler.Also, the amazon.com reviewer wants to know where "Impressionable" is (and i agree, best Helmet song ever). I've linked to the album that contains it in my "recommended in addition to" link.
J**B
Born...
Insane!This album has some real hard and nasty hooks with that smudge type sound and dark lyrics. Really impressive followup.
M**O
Well worth a listen
I had just gone to see Helmet here recently - picked this one up whilst ordering another of theirs - realised I had a copy on cassette years ago and was pleasantly surprised at how good many of the tracks are - a more punky vibe to the recordings
C**R
Helmet B-sides and rarities collection
Released 15 years ago this album pulls together Helmet demos, rarities and B sides as well as two covers, all recorded around the time of their seminal 1992 release "Meantime". The title-track opener is a stunner, neck-snapping Helmet precision followed by three minutes of dischordant pounding as the song gradually falls to pieces in glorious fashion. "Rumble" is an apt name for a song that sees Henry Bogdan's massive bass come to the fore while "Shirley Maclaine" sees a very early stab at melody, but outstays its welcome at 6 minutes plus. "No Nicky No" and the '93 update of the title track are the other highlights. Recommended to anyone with even a passing interest in Helmet.
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