Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Just got home from work and found Tommy's new solo cd awaiting me.  Great!  Didn't think it was out until thr 26th but i've had my copy booked thru Play.co  for a while now.

I'm listening as i write this, it's sounds great.  Not particularly close to the GN'R sound, more like Jesse Malin meets The Replacements.  The first track Without a View is huge, it starts with subtle drum/electro loops and acoustic guitar and builds and builds.  Excellent.

The third track Somethings wrong sounds alot like something Izzy would do, rootys rock.  

The packaging features all the lyrics along with a few cool pictures of Tommy.  

There's a sticker on the front of the CD which says "Debut solo album from founder member of The Replacements".  Wouldn't be be better if it said "Debut album from the CURRENT GN'R BASSIST".  Seems like more people would buy it then?

But initial impressions are very good.

Thanks for the info.  I was planning on buying the album.  I'm looking forward to hearing it.

Just out of curiosity, is there a list of thank you's in the liner notes?  If so, does he mention anyone from GN'R?

Ali

There is a list of "thank you's" but there's no mention of GN'R or Axl.  Saying that though the thanks you's are very short, only 4 or 5 people mentioned including his brother Duane!

Dizzy plays on 2 songs, Fortus plays on 3 and Josh Freece on 3 songs also.

After the first listen the song that sticks out the most is the title track "Village Gorrilla Head".  It sounds pretty different to everything else, programmed beats (i think) almost Dub.  Sounds like The Gorillaz!

I'll going to buy it once I get paid in about a week. This is the best it's going to get until CD comes out.

Thanks for answering the question.  This record sounds very intriguing.  I'm looking forward to hearing if Richard Fortus plays any lead parts on the songs.

Ali

Lol - if he had we'd all say he was 'exploiting' his position in GNR like Buckethead was/is

He can't win!

I've heard nothing but enthusiasm for this record...Really excited and looking forward to it

Yeah, it's a great album.  I'd say the best song is Hey You.

I just listened to that Motivation download-it is damn good Stones/Replacements rock-down and dirty. Great sax work as well. I may have to buy this disc. ps not to start a fight, but it is much more "raw" rock/punk than anything on the slickly produced, snoozer Contraband.  ;D ;D ;D

Just a reminder that you can download Motivation here:

http://ubl.artistdirect.com/music/artist/card/0,,497747,00.html?src=redirsearch&artist=Tommy+Stinson (http://ubl.artistdirect.com/music/artist/card/0,,497747,00.html?src=redirsearch&artist=Tommy+Stinson)

Just went to my local record shop (the only one within walking distance), and when I asked about the record, I got a perplexed look usually reserved for drunken streaking incidents....damn

Good album. Fun to listen to it. Nothing overwhelming, but still far better than some other recent releases.


/lastroots

Hey im new, i want to say hi to everyone, and i ordered VGH off amazon thinking i could listen to the free audio stream of the album, and if i didnt like it i could cancel the order. Well after i listened to it, the order changed to "shipping soon" meaning i couldnt cancel, but i liked it anyway. As someone said earlier, Without a View is great, a real standout

ANyone know if its on sale or cheap anywhere?

Anyone know if it's worth $27? My local store has it on import for ?17.99 which is about $27 - I love  Tommy's playing in GN'R and he seems like a real cool guy but...y'know, I don't want to spend a small fortune on something I'll only play a couple of times. What do you think?

(I don't have a  creditcard, so no online ordering for me)

Too expensive. Get it for 17 Euro on www.jpc.de or via amazon.


/lastroots

Well I would, but like I said, I don't have a credit card so I can't order online.  :no:

Ask your record store if they can get you this album:

TOMMY STINSON
Album Title Label Cat. No 
Village Gorilla Head Sanctuary Records SANCD289


For more info on how to order or get the album, see http://www.sanctuaryrecords.co.uk/index1.htm (click Ordering Info).



/jarmo

My man Jarmo,
they already have it in - at ?17.99. I was just wondering if it's worth it. Generally I don't pay more than ?12.99 for a CD.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002ADXKC/qid=1091109977/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_0_1/202-7863018-5625419

?11.99+p&p

http://www.101cd.com/music/info.asp?id=810673

?11.99 + ?1 p&p

http://www.play.com/play247.asp?searchtype=cdartist&searchstring=stinson&page=search&Go.x=25&Go.y=16

?10.99 Delivered

Good price. But once again, I don't have a credit card.  :hihi:

Yeah, but you said it was an import. Sanctuary releases albums over in the UK as well so importing from USA seems stupid.

It's even out in Sweden so why not the UK?

Ask them again.  ;D

Did you look at the link? It says most major stores have Sanctuary's albums and that you can tell your local store to order the album using the catalogue number.



/jarmo

Then that might be my bad - I wasn't sure it was on general release in the UK, so I assumed it would be an import. It seems that the money grabbing bastards are just charging ?17.99 for the European release!  :rant:

Got this album on Tuesday. Simply Incredible.
Time for the Nick Nasty Review Scale (1-5) N's: 1 N= Shit, 5  N's= Excellent:

Cover/Album Art: 3 N's--- Nothing spectacular, photos are pretty cool, and the liner notes are amusing, especially the artist credits.

Songs:4.5 N's out of 5 ( Lyrics 4, Music 3.5)---

 Not being a big Punk fan, I was a tad worried going into this album that I would get  primarily punk heavy-short songs. I was dead wrong. This album runs the gamut from soul searching, mellow ballads ('Without a View', 'Light of Day') to ironic punkish offerings ('Something's Wrong') to hardcore rockers ('Motivation'). Tommy, as indicated by several interviews, has several musical influences that all show here. The music could easily be heard on any modern rock radio station, but luckily, since it was independently financed, was far more genuine and powerful than anything heard on there. Thank you, General Stinson, for keeping my hope in renewed rock alive.  : ok:

Overall Rating: 4.5 N's

I have been listening to the album for a few days now...heres my review

The album is fantastic. Like NickNasty I was expecting a punk type record. This record has a little bit of everything. Every single song is excellent. I really suggest you check out the album. Its got soul, punk and rock. Fortus' playing on Motivation and the other 2 songs are excellent.

The lyrics and overall vibe of the album is great as well. Without a View{U2 vibe) and Motivation could be hit single on any rock station. Great songs.

Go get the album. Its worth it....

Well I've been listening to it for two days now and I'm really impressed with it. I have gone back and gotten any Replacement CD's I could find since Tommy joined GnR and I love them, so I was expecting/ hoping for something along those lines.

As already mentioned there is a wide variety of styles here that all blend very well. All the songs are solid yet you wont be hearing them on the radio in this crap heavy image over substance times.

My favorite song is the closer "Someday". I love when a c.d. ends on a high note and this one is a great closer, made me want to listen to the whole thing again and hold off playing the new Pearl Jam cd. Overall a damn good c.d. Is it going to change your life? No, but it just might restore your faith in the ability to still find some good Rock n Roll being made.

damn its a realy great album!

 :beer:

randomville.com review (http://www.randomville.com/article/3/147.html)




/jarmo

I agree with the Randomville review's point that Stinson has a Dylan-esque quality to his voice, particularly on tracks like 'Light of Day' and 'Hey You.' Again, this album shows Tommy as more than an incredible bassist or back-up vocalist, which GNR and Mats fans already knew he was, but as a complete performer with alot of musical sensibility.

This is a REALLY good album. I am more than impressed. Out of all the releases by Gnr members, ex members, etc etc, this album and Izzy's first Ju Ju Hounds album are clearly the cream of the crop.....including *gasp* Contraband! Good lyrics, catchy songs, and an eclectic mix of styles. Fortus plays some incredible cello and guitar...Dizzy's keys on the title track are very cool as well. Axl has a shit load of talent, let's hope he uses it. :peace:

You've got Paul Westerberg of course, who was a bandmate with Tommy....and Tommy is close friends and collaborates with Jesse Malin....who is close friend and collaborator with Ryan Adams. And all 4 are very close in style/genre with their solo records. I like all four very much.

(But I didn't mention that Ryan Adams and Paul Westerberg hate each others guts  :hihi:).

Ahhaha, I told someone this on Thursday.

I got this album for ten bucks at Newberry Comics. While I don't like it as much as The Replacements, it's still a cool album. Stinson is a very good songwriter. Maybe Tommy Stinson is the new Izzy Stradlin of GN'R, in terms of being a great songwriter...which is something GNR lost after Izzy left the group.

The question as to how much inout Stinson has/had in terms of adding to new GNR material remains to be seen, Mr. Nixon, but we can only hope he was able to put in his two cents here and there ;).

Source:? New York Post (newspaper), Sunday, August 1, 2004
This week's CDs
By Dan Aquilante

TOMMY STINSON
"Village Gorilla Head"
* * * (Three out of Four Stars Rating)
Sanctuary Records[/b]
 

WITH one of the finest pedigrees in rock music, former Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson delivers a record you have to work at to appreciate. The rewards are there, even though on first listen it may seem scattered.

After a few spins, it becomes easy to connect the dots between these stylistically varied tunes. This disc really illustrates Stinson's musical vocabulary.

Pay attention to the lyrics, and you'll be impressed by how perceptive they are; the melodies are equally memorable. Listen for the catchy pop of "Hey You" and the jangly rock of "Something's Wrong."

I cant stop listening to this album!

Are the Replacement albums similar to this album?

Pretty good album  : ok:  Overall, I think Tommy fares better on stripped accoustic songs.
My favourites right now  are : "Without a view", "Motivation" and "Light of day".

I find this line in the liner notes hilarious :
"If I have a large check waiting for me or I won some sweepstakes, you can contact my manager xxx xxx " and then he goes on to give the contact details of his manager  :hihi:

got it at best buy on tuesday...

really luvin' the album

Tommy is a great songwriter

I too really like 'Without a View', 'Light of Day'...
Love 'It's OK"....? I can picture a video for this one? : ok:
Couldn't Wait....? ?:) Bite Your Tongue? :D

Just a great, great album!

 :love: Tommy? :love:
Congratulations Tommy!

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story?id=6391242&pageid=rs.Home&pageregion=single1
Good review in Rolling Stone!

Not so good review from Barnes & Noble:

While the following suggestion certainly sounds far more ominous than intended, one gets the feeling that hanging out with Axl Rose has started to rub off on Tommy Stinson. The former Replacements bassist has been a member of the Chinese Democracy-era edition of Guns N' Roses for a few years at this writing, and just as Rose seems oddly intent upon beating all the rock & roll fun out of his brave new version of G n' R, Stinson's first proper solo album, Village Gorilla Head, is significantly short on the rave-up excitement and loopy enthusiasm of his earlier sets with Bash & Pop and Perfect. Which isn't to say that Stinson has completely lost his sense of humor or his inclinations toward straight-ahead rock & roll -- just check out the Stones-style raunch of "Motivation" and "Something's Wrong," the ace Ronnie Lane lift of "Hey You," and the onslaught of attitudinal snot of "Bite Your Tongue" and you'll get some much needed reassurance about the state of Stinson's abilities. But the electro-processed spookiness of "Without a View" and the title track suggest he's been listening to trip hop without really figuring how to do it himself, "Couldn't Wait" is blunt hard rock lacking in both hooks and swing, and most of the cuts on this album lack a much-needed ?lan -- the songs are solid, the playing is great, but there's a certain sweat-inducing passion that's in unfortunately short supply. There's just enough good stuff on Village Gorilla Head to remind listeners of the scruffy kid with the flawless rock instincts they knew as Tommy Stinson, but at the same time there's a bunch of stuff suggesting that maturity and a more serious outlook are taking a toll upon him. Here's some advice: less Guns N' Roses, more Minus 5 in your musical diet, Tommy. Mark Deming

http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?userid=ye7CSXn9kc&ean=60768469228

Hit the link and you can sample 30 seconds of each song.? I'm not too sold on it myself.....a little too Dylanesque for my taste.? Seems like this is a record that would take me about 5-10 listens to appreciate.? I'll probably buy it like I did a bunch of Bucket's cds.....which I've grown tiresome of.

Anyone going to the Toronto show at the Horse shoe Tavern, I didnt know if there was the tour thread yet  or like if not then were to create one so i did it here. Sorry homeys if this makes anyone mad, but lets unite and fight for love and peace, and creases in pants!

Okay, I just got Tommy Stinson: Village Gorilla Head and it is great. I like every song except for Tracks 6 and 8 and I love Hey You & Someday.

great album, something's wrong is great!  he sounds bob dylanish.  funny tommy, dylan and i are from minnesota.

Me too!  Tommy rocks!   : ok:

I finally got a chance to hear the whole CD... I still don't own a copy, but I liked it a lot.  Only one listen wasn't enough to fully digest all the songs, but the first song is probably my favorite so far (don't know the name of it though).

Something to note:

I've played this album for a few people now, and i've gotten that he/it sounds like everyone from Marcy Playground to Tom Petty to (of course) U2. I guess the point is, you must be on to something when people can think you sound like very different artists ;).

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/fridayreview/story/0%2C12102%2C1271645%2C00.html

I've played the album numerous times now, yet I still can't get an overall feel for it...I think the second half of the record happens to be much stronger IMO, but I think I'm placing too much expectation on tommy....When someone says "it's in the singer-songwriter vein", I immediately think of Dylan obviously, which there are flashes of, L. Cohen, or Jeff Buckley...Certainly a hefty task for anyone to aspire to such levels, and I realize I'm being hard on good ol' Tommy, but as of right now, it doesn't MOVE me in the way I had hoped it would...As is, a decent pop rock effort, with some shimmering songs and good indications for the future....I'm gonna throw it in now...

I give it a three out of five stars. Favs are Without A View, Bite Your Tongue, Light of Day, Hey You, and Motivation. The title track sounds like Dizzy and Tommy were on a few too many shrooms, but it is interesting. ;D The rest of the songs are average in my opinion. Overall, a good album. His Perfect record may be more rocking as it was recorded 6-7 years ago.

GUITAR WORLD >> OCTOBER 2004
REVIEWS >> Editors? Picks

ROCK
Tommy Stinson
Village Gorilla Head
Sanctuary

Although he?s best known for holding down the bottom end in the Replacements and the current edition of Guns N? Roses, Tommy Stinson has instincts that are far beyond bass-ic.? As he reveals here, Stinson has a knack for conjuring up classic rock songs like ?Something?s Wrong,? on which his fretwork could pass for Ron Wood?s in a blindfold test.? He hasn?t lost touch with his snotty inner child, though, which rears its spiky head on the lashing sneer-fest ?Couldn?t Wait? and the New York Dolls-styled ?Motivation,? proof positive that a bad attitude is timeless.
-David Sprague

Anybody have some sales figures for us yet on this record?

I just wanted to let everyone know there's an excellent Tommy Stinson story about the new album with VIDEO content. Great bite. It's at www.artisannewsservice.com.

I'd guess at around than 10000 global, taking into account the GNR hardcore plus old fans from The Replacements days.  It would be interesting to get an exact figure, how can you find out?

Great album :)

I've heard this style of music way too much already...last thing I would do at this point is waste money on another Stones ripoff. I would download it though. I've seen Tommy live 3 times and 'Without a view' was pretty good.

Amazon need to ship my fucking copie out , from what I've heard it's pretty damn good.

itst he only thing ive been listening to for quite some time now

Great album like every song? :)
First i thought it wasn't as good as Bash and pop or perfect but this is even better.

Dizzy Reed was right, album of the year? ;D

the album rock :D

but on the track "motivation" i think its called.. there is a high pitched scream... does Tommy do it? or could it be axl screaming on an album? :p

Damnit.  This isn't a big deal, but I recently found out Tommy's album release party took place in the bar my roommate works at - not two blocks from where I work and where I am right now.  If I had known in advance, I would have been there.  My roommate wasn't working that night, but according to another server, Tommy was macking on all the girls the whole night and didn't give anyone else any attention.  That's just the opinion of one server, though.

Just imagine you going though. All the girls and ladies would have left the side, top and lower half of Tommy Stinson and come running to you screaming 'It's Loretian from HTGTH'. And when I say scream, I mean scream  : ok:

I think that would have bummed TS out  :hihi:

 :rofl:  That's one of the funniest things I've ever read.   I long for the day when I can pull girls away from rock stars...  :)

I've been listening to this cd a lot in the last week or so. I really like it, he has got a wide variety of styles on it and they sound good.  The production is also quite good, you can hear all the instruments distinctly and I also really liked the vocals.  It is a good showcase for Tommy's talent.
My favorite tracks are Motivation (a stonesy rocker), Light of Day (a slower song), World Without a view, Something's Wrong (sounds a bit like an izzy song). I liked all the songs but the title track is strange, trippy and kind of electronic sounding.
Overall, its a pretty good album and worth checking out. I'm planning to see the show when he comes around.

Sorry guys i haven't heard Tommy's solo yet.? I just bought VR and then the GNR greatest hits.? Have to give my pocketbook a little break in between.? ?:confused:

And i am not sure what his music sounds like? :-\? when i have more time to read through these posts that will give me a better idea.? Also, i hear that Dizzy has really nice music. ?

Check out Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002D2ODG/qid=1092744815/sr=ka-1/ref=pd_ka_1/103-1839147-5248651), they have sound clips from the album.




/jarmo

I bought it last week.......have listened to it 3 times.......and I love it.

I was at the shore this past weekend and played it for a few friends.? One of them flipped out when I told him that it was Tommy Stinson.? He's a huge Replacements fan and was shocked when I told him that Tommy was now playing bass for Guns N' Roses.

Anyone have the link were Tommy lists the shit that annoys him, like that Tattoo quote he does and shiznit thanks

BLENDER >> SEPTEMBER 2004
THE GUIDE NEW RELEASES

TOMMY STINSON
VILLAGE GORILLA HEAD
* * * (Three Stars)
SANCTUARY
Onetime member of ?80s indie icons the Replacements goes solo
What?s smaller and smarter than a Velvet Revolver?? A Velvet Squirt Gun?? Current Guns N? Roses bassist (and onetime preteen bassist for Minneapolis punk-rock greats the Replacements) Tommy Stinson gets a lot of time off as Axl Rose polishes his Chinese Democracy.? On his vacation, Stinson has made a record that manages to sound fully engaged and optimistic even while it?s sad all over the place.? Village Gorilla Head is full of loud and introspective pop shaped into bittersweet songs that evoke Big Star and Cheap Trick.? His GN?R mates Dizzy Reed (keyboards) and Richard Fortus (guitar) drop by to help on some tracks, but Stinson plays much of this moody music himself.? At the end, he tenderly croons over and over, ?Something of use will come?:? Whether Stinson is talking about his life or about Chinese Democracy, either way he?s convincingly optimistic.
RJ SMITH
DOWNLOAD THESE? ?Without a View,? ?Something?s Wrong,? ?Couldn?t Wait?

I have been playing Village Gorilla Head a lot.  I'm really loving it.

The title track is becoming my favorite.
Its funky and jazzy.
The piano parts on it are really great - its like 'Dizzy! fuck yeah!'
I'm really into this album
OK is still one of my favorites....  Love this song. 
Tommy is a great song writer  : ok:
with this kind of talent on board...
I'm REalllly looking forward to CD!  :drool:

I saw he was gonna be on Kilborn on this site and liked the song he played alot. After reading this thread I think I am gonna pick up the album. Thanks all around if it's good.

I finally picked up this album off ebay a few days ago, thought it was about time as i`m going to see him in camden and wanted to get those songs into my head before hand.

I`ve been reading most of the reviews and everythings been positive, so i was really looking forward to it. It did take a while to get used to it, i think it was his singing style - not that i don`t like it, far from it. The album has its fair share of slower down tempo songs, so it takes a few listens to tune into the level its recorded at, and to fully appreciate the louder moments when they do come up. Needs to be listened to loud. Highly recommended, but be ready to give it a few listens before judging it. I really can`t wait for the show now, would be cool if i could chat with him - not sure how good i would be at that, i barely ever go to smaller gigs, normally a stadium person so i`m not used to this relaxed bar like approach.

Out of interest does anyone know what tracks Richard Fortus plays on?

Richard Fortus: additional guitars, tracks 2, 8, 10; cello on tracks 7, 10



I also got the album now, and just like you said, it takes a few listens to appreciate it.

Not A Moment Too Soon sounds like a song that they could put in some movie and it would immediately become a hit.



/jarmo

Cheers Jarmo, I picked up a promo version of the album (cheaper!) so am unable to look in the sleave - i`m not that lazy!  : ok:

It took me about 2 listens to get into it as well. SInce then Ive been listening to this album non stop. I didnt know much about Tommy regarding his music ability other than the fact he was in a bigtime punk band{which i knew nothing about} but he really showcases his talents in this album. Its good to see a core guy of gnr has so much talent.....

You can see the rest of the "who's doing what on VGH" on the main site. Plus lyrics so you can sing along. ;)



/jarmo

Hey Mysteron. Stop these jokes and get back to your day job which is informing us about news from the GN'R camp.   :rofl:

Good joke though...  ;)

(http://gypsysoul.lunarpages.com/harp91004a.jpg)
Photo Credit:? CELESTE WELLS?
(http://gypsysoul.lunarpages.com/harp91004b.jpg)

(http://gypsysoul.lunarpages.com/harp91004c.jpg)

well, i just the cd yesterday... and i've been listening to it since... great cd! tommy is one gifted musician. i really like the piano parts on village gorilla head, i think its dizzy. great job!
Tommy Rocks  : ok:

this is such a great album
i cant get enough
the first three tracks are my faves on the album

Hey, I also got a promo version of the album but not because it was cheaper. Because I'm a collector...

How about you collect my promo, so i can go off and buy the full version?  ;D

I never said that I don't own the full version.  ;)

i bet duff sells more  8)

I've now played VGH at a few parties and nobody, no matter what music they're into, has had anything other than good things to say about it.

Well tonight I finally got around to picking up my special ordered copy and so far ive listen to the enitire cd around twice, and so far im pretty impressed and satisfyed. My favorite tracks from it at this point are definately "Not A Moment To Soon", "OK", "Without a View", and "Motivation". The only track I dont really care for is actually the title track, which I hope grows on me. It just doesnt seem nearly as catchy as the rest of the cd. Axl has one hell of a talented musician in his new line-up and should be quite proud right now. : ok:

I love "OK"  : ok: Turns out this is the track on which Tommy plays everything  :D

It will.... it was not among my favorites at all at first... now its among the tracks I'm most likely to hit the replay button on  : ok:  Its very different from the preceeding tracks... but, one day about a week after getting the album I was in my van parked just chilling waiting for my kids to come out of the mall... and it totally grabbed me...  its groovy.. jazzy... and funky... and very nicely produced.... very smooth...  It hasn't let me go since... the lyrics just flow through my head and I wanna put it on.   Love it.  :love:


I know I am (proud) to be a fan of this new lineup of Guns N' Roses.  Tommy is ACES  : ok:

I just read the Entertainmetn weekly review, they gave the albuma B-, his ex mate got a better review..

well anyone who hasn't gotten it... don't let an unfavorable review stop you
its a great album

i actually took afd out of the 1st slot in my cd changer and put in VGH  : ok:

my daughter went to slot 2 the other day (UYI I) and I made her put it back on VGH  :D

Just go buy the album. It's worth it's money...

This album is quite good. 'Without a View' is great just as an instrumental track. Too bad the reviews have been lukewarm; this definately deserves alot of attention.

Yeah, I definately agree. The song just has a certain vibe to it that makes it a truly amazing song. Next to "Someday" this is my favorite track at the moment. I can easily see either song on a television show, or in a movie sometime down the road. When that happens I think Tommy will get a huge break.. :)

Village Head what? does anyone even care?...........

With 5 pages of positive reviews Id say quite a few people care.. ::)

Can anyone compare all of GN'R's past and present members solo efforts?  To see who's actually sold the most.  I'm just curious to know.

I think its safe to say it was one of the Snakepits, probably the first one.

Myseron can you find out from Tommys management how much VGH has sold? Im just curious

Yeah, I wouldnt mind knowing this either. The album isnt being heavily promoted by any means so Im curious to know how many copies its sold up till now. Im guessing maybe its gone gold or close to gold?

I strongly doubt it. 500,000 copies is a lot for such an underground record.

I'm think it has sold about 100,000 at the most, which is a shame cause it's a great album : ok:

Well, I got my copy of VGH in the post today. I was tentative, the first listen didn't go too well, but I wasn't really concentrating.

A couple of listens later however is a diffrent story! I think the album is fantastic and I sincerely hope Tommy's 'two cents' are well represented in Chinese Democracy - he is an asset to GNR.

Good on you Tommy!

I can recommend this album without any hesitation, even the title track that some people have expressed reservations about.

Andrew

P.S. Fuck Kerrang and their shitty review.

I think that figure is very optimistic.  In all honesty I'm thinking less than 10,000 sold worldwide.

Wow, thats not alot of copies at all if thats true. I couldnt even get it in HMV or sunrise because they said it was such a small release it isnt delievered in bulk quantity so your probably right.

Tommy Stinson. "Village Gorilla Head" review in Classic Rock magazine
4/5

Unless you're Axl Rose, it must be a pretty crashy number being in Guns N' Roses these days.

Imagine it: you're probably on a hefty retainer, on paper you're in one of the biggest rock bands of the last 20 years, and yet the reality of it is that you've got plenty of down time to spend working on your own projects until you "get the call" from Mr Rose.

Which is how it must be for former Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson.. And "Village Gorilla Head" is what he's been getting up to while his boss is been tinkering in the studio.

Stinson is much more than a bassist, and takes on the roles of songwriter, singer, rhythm and lead guitarrist, bassist and ocassionally drummer on this record.

Those expecting something GN'R sounding will be disappointed. Those who remember The Replacements' glory years, however, will find much to enjoy here. "Somethings's wrong" is full of ramshackle guitar and hoarse vocals that that band's Paul Westerberg would be proud of, while closer "Someday" is a beautiful, mid-paced ballad

If this is the stuff Stinson is capable of making on his own, hopefully Axl never makes the call and his bass player can go on creating music as enjoyable as this.

---

Thanks Graciela!? :beer:




/jarmo

Ok, that was one cool review... except from the last part... Don't give Axl ideas.

Yeah that review is pretty precise when it comes to the situation of downtime these bandmembers probably have. I can only imagine one day though, Tommy will be in the bathtub as the phone rings..."Hello?"..."Tommy...its done, pack your shit, we've got a world to dominate!"

i would have to say, that after hearing some of the cuts of this crap, i can only say that i truly hope this is nothing to expect
from chin demo.    this is hayseed midwest music similar to those bad 80's bands out of the midwest,  which i guess is probably what
the replacements were, of the few tunes i heard.     i hate how his voice is a bad imitation of bob dylan on his worst hangover.

can anyone truly hope for this crap for the new GNR?     

i have just been reintroduced to the GNR legacy thru the greatests hits album,  and there are truly classic songs there.

im not bagging on this guy cause im hoping for some stupid reunion of the old multi-millionare has-beens,   but just crossing
my fingers that with axl's incredible voice,  that there might be someone in his new band that can write a memorable song.
  the madagascar mp3 is the only hope that i have heard of yet, the blues as well,  and that doesn't even sound remotely what this hayseed
record sounds like.

this record is as equally bad as any ex-members solo records.   zero interest,   zero sales.      next!

Judging from all the positive reviews this album has gotten here so far, I'd say yes  :P 
 And THIS won't be what the album sounds like since Tommy is not the only songwriter. But after hearing what he can do on his own, I definitely hope he will bring something to the table in GN'R.

Great review... A real critic...

Have you even listened to the whole album? Did u even buy it?

<Great review... A real critic...
<Have you even listened to the whole album? Did u even buy it?


yep, did listen to it,  and nope would never buy this.   just an honest opinion here.    like others im intriqued by
what chin demo might sound like, so ive had to try to stomach what the other guys might contribute.   i had bought
several bucket records,  and though he is a monster guitarist,  there is not one song near the caliber of a guns song,
just mindless noodles of finger exercises.  i already traded in those cd's.    the tommy record much the same as a gilby,
izzy record,   mediocrity,  bad vocals and very polished over 80's music.

sometimes people are glazed over by the guns personalities,  but in the end the songs always have to be there,   and can
you honestly say there is anything on this record near the caliber of a classic (i mean good) guns song?    not one of their
filler songs like its so easy, rocket queen.     sorry but i wasn't a fan of the replacements midwest 80's sound, and even if
it is glossed over by famous musicians and producers,   someone needs to give this village gorilla some head!

rated  c-   for mediocrity

I'm not glazed over by the fact that he's playing in GNR. I bought the record, listened to it and loved it. That's it.

It never happened with an ex gnr member, like Izzy, Duff, Slash...

I guess I didn't expect GNR material there. That's why I liked the record...

Funny, I wasn't expecting anything and just listened to it.

I still enjoy the album a lot.

It's not a substitute for GN'R, it's just a great record.

Too bad it seems like a lot of bands get a lot of hype from the press and sell because of that. While this album is almost impossible to find for some people.



/jarmo

I refuse to give his album a chance until the new GNR releases Chinese Democracy.  I am not going to get it just because he is in the new GNR and played a dozen or so shows with Axl.  I am sure many people bought Buckethead's solo works because he was in the new GNR, and looked what happened with that.

That must be the funniest reason I've heard for not buying Tommy's record.? :hihi:



Why not get it because it's just a great record?

I had no expectations about this album when I got it, turns out I've listened to it more than I've listened to "Contraband". And "Contraband" isn't a bad album.....




/jarmo

Yeah, tell me, what happened? Lots of people have discovered a great artist that they wouldn't have known otherwise. Personally, I don't care much for instrumental music, but my boyfriend has almost all Buckethead albums, and he's not gonna put them in the trash can just because the guy has left the band. It's called broadening your horizons. Sheesh....

I'm with Jarmo on this one. If you don't want to buy this album, at least find a good reason. You could also shut up, but I guess that's just wishful thinking on my part.  :P

Yeah!  I finally got VGH today!  Listening to it now...I'm so excited.   :yes:

I'm not trying to be an a-hole, it is just that I am not going to support new GNR members solo projects until they are part of a GNR officially released album.  PANDORA - Buckethead played a lot of people so they would buy his solo stuff.  EVEN AXL WOULD AGREE WITH THAT!

I don't understand that mentality. It's a great album in its own right, your loss.



/jarmo

I bought the album about a month ago...

Its a decent album.  A couple very good songs.  I cant say it was worth the $16, but a decent album regardless.

Yeah, well, we got no proof of that. It might be true, or it might not. Anyway, it doesn't take away the quality of his solo stuff (if you like that style).
Are you trying to punish them for not releasing C.D by not buying their album? The only person you're punishing is yourself IMHO.  (btw, isn't that what your sig says?  ;D )

Just checking in to say that I finally got around to picking up this album about a week ago. Wasn't expecting much, but I really like it a lot and have been listening to it every day. Fave tracks are "Without a View", "VGH" and "Motivation". I am also very pleasantly surprised at the variety of styles on the record, and with Tommy's voice.

Great stuff!

well im happy ive just ordered VGH and OTTTAM from USA for $25 inc P&P so ill look forward to getting them in a week or so heard Light of Day ( i think that was what it was called) and although not blown away i still enjoyed it Roll on Next Year maybe well see CD :hihi:

This album is great from beginning to end. In this day and age of one or two good song albums, this album is solid all the way through.

It's a damn shame that more people will not get to hear it....

lets start to promote him... make a street team or somthing! LOL!

hehe...   best I can do is roll down my windows when I'm rocking out to it in my van  ;D

I hope that when GN'R returns Tommy will be in a much more mainstream spotlight and that will lead to more people checking out Village Gorilla Head...
cuz yeah, it really is a great record and it'll be cool for more people to give it a listen and get this great album to the "masses".

You said it :beer:

i can'tfind his album anywhere noone over here seems to have heard of it!! , >:(

On a slightly diffrent note, what does everyone think of the promotional strategy for this album (VGH)?

Personally, I still really, really enjoy Tommy's album and friends I have lent it to have also enjoyed it (even when they don't know he's in GNR) - i think to a certain extent it has been undersold or under promoted by the record company. Yes, the reviews have been fairly widespread, but I haven't seen much advertising.

Maybe the whole GNR thing will bolster it, but I guess there's a risk the album could be lost in the hype which would be sad as I'd be quite happy to see Tommy's solo work co-exist with GNR...

I was at Best Buy the other day and they had it, you can try there : ok:

hi, thanks for tellin me i'll have to go and look

Yeah the album was hard to find I looked everywhere and it took a month to get it I first went and tried to get it at BestButt but they didn't even have it. I had to wait for ever it seemed. I love the album way better than the crap anyone else in Guns has ever done. THAT IS BY THEMSELVES. Velvet is a team up thang not solo like SnakePit or Duff's shit or Adler's Appetite. It is a great cd that I could see having "Ok" as the first single. It has that certain raw punk/ pop enough  so that it is catchy and would be a success. I see it being better than that Ryan Cabre... whatever the hell his name is. Supposibly he is a it thang. He could knock him out easily. He has a good mature punk sound that could stun old punk fans and reunite punk with being a statement and not a look. I love it and if it could have been streamed and publisized it could have been a good seller. It should be in everyones rotation of music.

This album is brilliant, the best tracks are easily, Without a View, Motivation and hey you. The mix of acoustic guitar and harmonies makes a brilliant sound that you just dont get in most albums these days.

Finally i have got his album....it took me long enough.  Have never heard any of his other work i did not know what to expect but i must say it is class.  Something's Wrong, Hey You & Light of Day are my favourite tracks but i would say they are all good.  I would give the album 4 out of 5 : ok:

had this album a while now, i listen to it all the time! by far the best guns n roses solo effort. And probably one of the best rock albums in the last few years. and all of this from the bassist, so good.

just wanted to drag this outta the depths...just found this thing for $4 CDN :o

gonna listen now and see how good it really is :hihi:

I ordered it a few weeks ago from amazon. It' s a great album, I like it a lot  :)

It's an excellent effort  : ok:

alright i listened to this thing about 5 times straight now (the title track is on again for the 5th time)

It's really mellow...I'd seriously compare it to like the first Izzy & the Ju-Ju-Hounds disk. Not really what I expected, but not horrible, some really groovy tunes on it... even a bit of Cold Play or Jack Johnson style of stuff on it...maybe some Bob Dylan style of music too? I dunno can't quite place it at the moment

Tommy isn't much of a flashy player...he does what he's got to do and that's about it, none of the music really stuck out as fantastic for me, but i can have it on and listen to it and chill out.

IMO after hearing this, the new GnR disk prolly won't have many super stick out basslines...and I can prolly safely say that at this point in time that Duff is prolly quite a bit more talented guy for throwing a kick ass riffs out now and then...but Tommy is solid he will be able to keep things flowing smoothly for GnR : ok:

is this album what the replacements sound like? or were they more punky?

replacemenets are way more punky! tommy is an awesome player! listen to The blues! he has some outro lick that is grrreat!


also, he were kicking bass ass in replacements too!

I like this album, but it sounds nothing like The Replacements. I was really surprised how mellow this CD was. Still enjoy it though.

Go pick up the new Replacements best of disc if you want to hear a good range of what they were about. It left some pretty good songs out, but still a good listen.

shouldnt this thread be moved??

why? i just bumped the old one.

why? Its a thread about an album a current member of the band made. It would be another thing if Tommy left the band but he didnt so it belongs here.

This record was easily one of the best Ive ever purchased.

Still, since it's release, it finds it's way into my CD player, a few times a week :D

You've got to let the record grow on you Neemo...

After awhile, I came to view it as a stripped down, acoustic masterpiece...which I still say it is : ok:

As a longtime Replacements fan, Gorilla Head is a blast - it hasn't left my player in almost a year now.  Hopefully, Tommy has a lot more in him...

Amen to that i love the Mats.

Village Gorilla Head sounds nothing like the Mats musically. Tommy's lyrics are very Westerberg though-he obviously taught Tommy well.  :hihi: Anyhow, Light of Day and Hey You are very Dylanesque and Tommy said so-vocal delivery especially. Motivation is straight up Dolls and Stones. The rest is just good music. It is a great album-far beyond any of Duff's solo stuff. If you want more rock from Tommy, you need Bash and Pop or Perfect. VGH is a more mature singer songwriter type album. : ok:

I just bought the album from a local used CD store, and I really like it alot!
I've never heard any of his stuff (or anything from the more modern Gunner's stuff) before, but this is good! I'm comming from Izzy/Gilby backgrounds so this is a very appealing album for me. I sampled it in the store, because I'd read some things about it on the internet, but never heard any samples, so I got 'er for $11.99CDN! Not bad. Just figured I'd share!

-- Mike

yeah it's a great album. defenetly one of the best solo gunner album if not the best.

it got great reviews aswell, and it was awsome seeing tommy touring the world or atleast europe and america backing it up....

i don't thing it sold very much tho, wonder how many copies it sold. it was atleast shpped out to most decent record stores around the world...

i just bought the record on amazon for 18?. it was listed three times....   18? ;  35? and 40? or something like that. the shipping will take approximately 3-6 weeks :-\


 i`ve downloaded all the songs already, but i only recently really listened to/got into it. it definitely deserves to be payed for. it?s on par with izzy and slash`s solos albums to say the least. i`m not going to compare it to contraband out of respect for slash and duff.....

Brilliant album.

Tommy's contributions to Chinese Democracy are going to truly be something special : ok:

Also listen to the Perfect album.



Every time I'm making a playlist, to make the travels more fun, a few of Tommy's songs end up on them.  8)





/jarmo

i cant agee more although i do prefer VGH to perfect its seems more polished and such but that not putting down Once Twice Three Times a Maybe its still a great album

Village Gorilla Head is on par with Izzy's first album. Those two records are, in my opinion, the highest quality solo releases from any past or present Gnr member. As far as Perfect goes, get mp3's for Better Days and 7 Days a Week-those are both quality rock tracks. Then, if your squirly, get Bash and Pop mp3's of Tiny Pieces, Friday Night is Killing Me, Loose Ends, and Tickled to Tears. Those 6 songs plus Village will give you a good snap shot of Tommy's solo stuff.

I got this CD for $2 when Tower Records was going out of business.  Definitely one of the best CDs I bought.  Happily surprised and did not expect it to be as listenable as it is.  It does have a lot of Replacements-esque sound to it, which is naturally expected.  Also interesting to see some partial/full-time Gunners show up in the mix...Fortus, Freese, Reed, Beaven.  I'm actually rather surprised it didn't get more press when it came out.  Especially considering the underground cred that the Replacements have.

It got a lot of press actually-just never got any radio play on a mass scale. Tommy did a lot of interviews during that timeframe. Remember "hair's breadth away"...the cd is "mindblowing and epic"....etc etc.  I think Tommy got taught a hard lesson about popping off at the mouth. Thus, he rarely speaks these days. :'(

My favs on Village are Without a View, Not A Moment Too Soon, Bite Your Tongue, Light of Day, Hey You, Motivation, Someday. Great album. : ok:

Another must have that I bought off Itunes is Perfect's ALTERNATIVE MONKEY off their first EP-it rocks and is right up most Gnr fans alley. If you have Itunes you should buy it for 99 cents or whatever your currency is. ;D

This album is one of the greatest ever made. I was hoping to talk to Tommy about it at the Calgary show, but he was a bit "cut". LOL.

a.