Ferment (1992)
The first half of this album is quite impressive. The vocals are top-notch, the playing is energetic, and the music tends to reach out and grab you. They lose gas, or just figure it’s good enough already, after track six. So feel free to cut your music media of choice in half and drown yourself in repeated listenings.
(“Black Metallic”, “I Want To Touch You”)
Grade: B+
Chrome (1993)
OK…what’s happening here? Instead of the first half being worthy, now it’s the first third. And it’s not nearly AS worthy. Evidently they’ve developed their own sonic style, which I assume sells well in the UK. Therefore, the need to write surefire hits, semi-classics, even decent songs is lessened considerably.
Grade: C
Happy Days (1995)
Nice cover art. I’m just masking my frustration at another mediocre offering that I bought based on one song (and on previous glory). In fact, I’ve acquired five albums from this band based mostly on my fascination with two songs. I think I’d like them to gather some supplies, move into a fallout shelter for ten years, and emerge with enough good material to rival ‘Ferment’. Or better yet, a mental ward. There’s nothing much to do there, so maybe they’d use the time apart from the world to develop a non-cr@ppy post-‘Ferment’ album. At this point, that might be overly optimistic.
(“Judy Staring At The Sun”)
Grade: C-
Adam and Eve (1997)
In the beginning, Catherine Wheel created good music. This is more like Armageddon.
Grade: D+
Wishville (2000)
Judy’s staring at bankruptcy.
Grade: D
2010: Actually not that bad, I was just REALLY angry at them for fcking up my Y2K celebration.
Grade: C