# Crazy Rhythms

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Not to be confused with [Crazy Rhythm](/source/Crazy_Rhythm).

1980 studio album by the Feelies

Crazy Rhythms Studio album by the Feelies Released February 29, 1980 Recorded 1979 Studio Vanguard (New York City) Genre Art-punk post-punk jangle pop avant-pop new wave Length 43:04 Language English Label Stiff Producer Bill Million Glenn Mercer Mark Abel The Feelies chronology Crazy Rhythms (1980) The Good Earth (1986)

***Crazy Rhythms*** is the debut studio album by American [rock](/source/Rock_music) band [the Feelies](/source/The_Feelies). It was released in the United Kingdom on February 29, 1980,[1] and in the United States in April 1980, through British record label [Stiff](/source/Stiff_Records). Its fusion of [post-punk](/source/Post-punk) and [jangle pop](/source/Jangle_pop) was influential on the forthcoming [alternative rock](/source/Alternative_rock) genre, with [R.E.M.](/source/R.E.M.), among others, citing the album as an influence. Although it was not commercially successful initially, it has remained critically lauded in the decades since its release.

In September 2009 the album was performed live in its entirety as part of the [All Tomorrow's Parties](/source/All_Tomorrow's_Parties_(music_festival))-curated [Don't Look Back](/source/Don't_Look_Back_(concert_series)) series.

## Background

On the album, band member [Glenn Mercer](/source/Glenn_Mercer) has said "The sound we were after was a reaction against the [punk](/source/Punk_rock) scene [...] Being a little older, we felt it had all been done before. We wanted the guitars to be cleaner, and we started experimenting with a lot of percussion."[2]

## Release history

The first release on [CD](/source/Compact_disc) was in Germany and the United States in 1986. [A&M Records](/source/A%26M_Records) released the album on CD in 1990 with a bonus track, a cover of [the Rolling Stones](/source/The_Rolling_Stones)' "[Paint It Black](/source/Paint_It_Black)". The track was recorded in 1990 without Fier or DeNunzio.

[Bar/None Records](/source/Bar%2FNone_Records) reissued *Crazy Rhythms* on September 8, 2009, while [Domino Records](/source/Domino_Recording_Company) reissued the album outside of the U.S. and Canada.

## Critical reception

Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [3] The A.V. Club A[4] Christgau's Record Guide A−[5] The Guardian [6] Mojo [7] Pitchfork 9.1/10[8] PopMatters 9/10[9] Rolling Stone [10] The Rolling Stone Album Guide [11] Spin Alternative Record Guide 10/10[12]

Although not a commercial success, *Crazy Rhythms* was critically acclaimed on release. [Paul Du Noyer](/source/Paul_Du_Noyer) of *[NME](/source/NME)* said that the record was "a very good album. I think it might even be a great one." He observed that the band "sound like [Jonathan Richman](/source/Jonathan_Richman) trying to sound like [the Velvet Underground](/source/The_Velvet_Underground)", as well as [Talking Heads](/source/Talking_Heads), but that "somehow the way they *are* so derivative is part of the Feelies' appeal". Du Noyer described the music as "a kind of cleanly suburban rock'n'roll which is simultaneously intense and simplistic" and that the band seemed like "boys next door" but "they're nothing of the sort".[13] In a five-star review in *[Sounds](/source/Sounds_(magazine))*, Pete Silverton observed that for him, the album only worked when he listened to it alone, not with company, and that it blended "the drive of Richman's '[Roadrunner](/source/Roadrunner_(Jonathan_Richman_song))' and some of the tense meanderings of [Television](/source/Television_(band))". He summed up the album as "all light and fun over driving but muted city beats – a little jazz here, a little Latin American there and virtually no rock and roll; most every rhythmic play you can hear on New York radio, topped by cool, calm and collected vocals".[14] [David Hepworth](/source/David_Hepworth), in *[Smash Hits](/source/Smash_Hits)*, wrote that the band "have the power to really draw you into their strange little suburban world."[15] *[Melody Maker](/source/Melody_Maker)*'s James Truman was less enthused, stating that the band's aim was to achieve a balance of being "intellectual, neurotic cissy" and ironic "Good American", but that at times "*Crazy Rhythms* pushes too hard to get the balance right and falls uneasily between a send-up and a put-on, a masterpiece and an attractive, disposable novelty". Truman said that the album had "a fussier, more detailed sound than it needed", and concluded, "Conceptualists will love the Feelies ... I just wish they'd come on a little less coy and clever."[16]

In their retrospective review, *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)* called *Crazy Rhythms* "one of those albums during whose course you hear the most exciting sound in music: things changing."[6] *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)* branded it "a landmark of jangly, guitar-driven [avant-pop](/source/Avant-pop), and its shimmering sound can still be heard in bands like [R.E.M.](/source/R.E.M.)"[2] *[PopMatters](/source/PopMatters)* wrote that the album "stands as a wildly inventive and influential record that stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the best music of the American [post-punk](/source/Post-punk) era. The magazine [Beat](/source/Beat_(magazine)) also described the album as [art-punk](/source/Art_punk).[17] With their very first album, The Feelies managed to speak directly to the zeitgeist of the American independent underground without becoming overexposed or repetitive."[9] *[Tiny Mix Tapes](/source/Tiny_Mix_Tapes)* wrote, "*Crazy Rhythms*, released in April 1980 amongst a veritable shitstorm of like-minded groups, stands grinning madly at the top of the pile – a shining monument to [new wave](/source/New_wave_music) at its quirky best."[18]

### Accolades

*Crazy Rhythms* was placed at number 17 in *[The Village Voice](/source/The_Village_Voice)*'s annual [Pazz & Jop](/source/Pazz_%26_Jop) critics' poll in 1980, beating out such notable critics' favorites as [David Bowie](/source/David_Bowie)'s *[Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)](/source/Scary_Monsters_(and_Super_Creeps))*, [Joy Division](/source/Joy_Division)'s *[Closer](/source/Closer_(Joy_Division_album))*, and [the Specials](/source/The_Specials)' [debut album](/source/The_Specials_(album)).[19]

*Crazy Rhythms* was ranked number 49 in *Rolling Stone*'s list of the 100 best albums of the 1980s,[2] and number 69 on *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*'s list.[20] In 2020, *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)* included *Crazy Rhythms* in their "80 Greatest albums of 1980" list.[21]

## Track listing

All tracks are written by Bill Million and [Glenn Mercer](/source/Glenn_Mercer), except where indicated.

Side one No. Title Length 1. "The Boy with the Perpetual Nervousness" 5:10 2. "Fa Cé-La" 2:04 3. "Loveless Love" 5:14 4. "Forces at Work" 7:10

Side two No. Title Writer(s) Length 5. "Original Love" 2:55 6. "Everybody's Got Something to Hide (Except Me and My Monkey)" Lennon–McCartney 4:18 7. "Moscow Nights" 4:34 8. "Raised Eyebrows" 3:00 9. "Crazy Rhythms" 6:13

CD reissue bonus track No. Title Writer(s) Length 10. "Paint It Black" (recorded 1990) Mick Jagger Keith Richards 2:54

2009 Domino reissue bonus tracks No. Title Writer(s) Length 11. "Fa Ce-La" (single version) 12. "The Boy with the Perpetual Nervousness" (Carla Bley demo version) 13. "Moscow Nights" (Carla Bley demo version) 14. "Crazy Rhythms" (live from the 9:30 Club, Washington D.C., March 14, 2009) 15. "I Wanna Sleep in Your Arms" (live from the 9:30 Club, Washington D.C., March 14, 2009) Jonathan Richman

## Personnel

- [Glenn Mercer](/source/Glenn_Mercer) – [lead](/source/Lead_guitar), [rhythm](/source/Rhythm_guitar), [12-string](/source/12-string_guitar) and [bowed](/source/Bowed_guitar) [guitars](/source/Guitar); [vocals](/source/Singing); [keyboards](/source/Musical_keyboard); [temple block](/source/Temple_block_(instrument)); [shaker](/source/Shaker_(percussion)); [claves](/source/Claves); [maracas](/source/Maraca); [bell](/source/Bell_(instrument)); [castanets](/source/Castanets); reverbed sticks; shoes; drums; coat rack

- Bill Million – lead, rhythm, and [acoustic guitars](/source/Acoustic_guitar); vocals; [timbales](/source/Timbales); [sandpaper](/source/Sandpaper); claves; can; tom-tom; [snare](/source/Snare_drum); cowbell; shaker; shoes, temple blocks; [tambourine](/source/Tambourine); boxes; and bells

- Keith De Nunzio – [bass guitar](/source/Bass_guitar), snare drum, tom-toms, [wood block](/source/Woodblock_(instrument)), pipe, bell, and [background vocals](/source/Background_vocals) (except on "Paint It Black")

- [Anton Fier](/source/Anton_Fier) – [drums](/source/Drum_kit), [tom-toms](/source/Tom-tom_drum), pipe, [cowbell](/source/Cowbell) (except on "Paint It Black")

- Brenda Sauter – bass guitar, background vocals on "Paint It Black"

- Dave Weckerman – percussion on "Paint It Black"

- Stanley Demeski – drums on "Paint It Black"

## Influence of cover

The cover to [Weezer](/source/Weezer)'s [first album](/source/Weezer_(Blue_Album)) (1994) has been frequently compared to *Crazy Rhythms*.[22]

## Charts

Chart (2009) Peak position Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[23] 75

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Releases"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/80s/80/Record-Mirror-1980-02-02.pdf#search=%22feelies%22) (PDF). *[Record Mirror](/source/Record_Mirror)*. February 2, 1980. p. 4. Retrieved August 31, 2022 – via World Radio History.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RS_Top_100_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RS_Top_100_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-RS_Top_100_2-2) ["100 Best Albums of the Eighties – The Feelies, '*Crazy Rhythms*'"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-best-albums-of-the-eighties-150477/the-feelies-crazy-rhythms-67284/). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. November 16, 1989. Retrieved February 1, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Raggett, Ned. ["*Crazy Rhythms* – The Feelies"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/crazy-rhythms-mw0000189951). [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic). Retrieved February 1, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Phipps, Keith (September 15, 2009). ["The Feelies: *Crazy Rhythms* / *The Good Earth*"](https://www.avclub.com/the-feelies-crazy-rhythms-the-good-earth-1798206909). *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)*. Retrieved February 1, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Christgau, Robert](/source/Robert_Christgau) (1990). ["The Feelies: *Crazy Rhythms*"](http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=3606). [*Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s*](/source/Christgau's_Record_Guide%3A_The_'80s). [Pantheon Books](/source/Pantheon_Books). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-679-73015-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-679-73015-X). Retrieved February 1, 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-The_Guardian_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-The_Guardian_6-1) Hann, Michael (October 22, 2009). ["The Feelies: *Crazy Rhythms*"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/oct/22/feelies-crazy-rhythms-reissue-review). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. Retrieved February 24, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Segal, Victoria (November 2009). "The Feelies: *Crazy Rhythms*". *[Mojo](/source/Mojo_(magazine))*. No. 192. p. 110.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Powell, Mike (September 14, 2009). ["The Feelies: *Crazy Rhythms* / *The Good Earth*"](http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13403-crazy-rhythms-the-good-earth/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. Retrieved February 1, 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-PopMatters_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-PopMatters_9-1) Carson, Craig (September 23, 2009). ["The Feelies: *Crazy Rhythms* / *The Good Earth*"](https://www.popmatters.com/111056-the-feelies-crazy-rhythms-the-good-earth-2496081206.html). *[PopMatters](/source/PopMatters)*. Retrieved February 1, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Sheffield, Rob](/source/Rob_Sheffield) (September 8, 2009). ["The Feelies: *Crazy Rhythms*"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090912095457/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/29821177/review/29951397/crazy_rhythms). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/29821177/review/29951397/crazy_rhythms) on September 12, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Considine, J. D.](/source/J._D._Considine) (2004). "The Feelies". In [Brackett, Nathan](/source/Nathan_Brackett); [Hoard, Christian](/source/Christian_Hoard) (eds.). [*The New Rolling Stone Album Guide*](/source/The_Rolling_Stone_Album_Guide) (4th ed.). [Simon & Schuster](/source/Simon_%26_Schuster). p. [296](https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/296). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7432-0169-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7432-0169-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Weisbard, Eric](/source/Eric_Weisbard) (1995). "Feelies". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). [*Spin Alternative Record Guide*](/source/Spin_Alternative_Record_Guide). [Vintage Books](/source/Vintage_Books). pp. 146–47. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-679-75574-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-679-75574-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Du Noyer, Paul](/source/Paul_Du_Noyer) (March 8, 1980). "Militant wimpism and teenage werewolves". *[NME](/source/NME)*. p. 35.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Silverton, Pete (March 8, 1980). "A touch too much". *[Sounds](/source/Sounds_(magazine))*. p. 41.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Hepworth, David](/source/David_Hepworth) (March 20 – April 2, 1980). "The Feelies: *Crazy Rhythms*". *[Smash Hits](/source/Smash_Hits)*. Vol. 2, no. 6. p. 31.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Truman, James (March 15, 1980). "We are normal". *[Melody Maker](/source/Melody_Maker)*. p. 30.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["The Feelies : Here Before"](https://beat.com.au/the-feelies-here-before-2/). *[Beat](/source/Beat_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Tiny_Mix_Tapes_18-0)** Vodicka, Gabe (July 9, 2009). ["The Feelies – *Crazy Rhythms*"](http://www.tinymixtapes.com/delorean/feelies-crazy-rhythms). *[Tiny Mix Tapes](/source/Tiny_Mix_Tapes)*. Retrieved February 1, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["The 1980 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll"](http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres80.php). *[The Village Voice](/source/The_Village_Voice)*. February 9, 1981. Retrieved February 1, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["The Top 100 Albums of the 1980s"](https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-top-100-albums-of-the-1980s/?page=4). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. November 20, 2002. p. 4. Retrieved February 1, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["The 80 Greatest Albums of 1980 What came out of all this was, arguably, the greatest year for great albums ever"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-1980-1075743/). [Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone). November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Luerssen, John D. (2004). *Rivers' Edge: The Weezer Story*. ECW Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-55022-619-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-55022-619-3)., page 109.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_Netherlands_The_Feelies_23-0)** "[Dutchcharts.nl – The Feelies – Crazy Rhythms](https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Feelies&titel=Crazy+Rhythms&cat=a)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 March 2024.

## External links

- *[Crazy Rhythms](https://www.discogs.com/master/13019)* at [Discogs](/source/Discogs) (list of releases)

v t e The Feelies Glenn Mercer Bill Million Stan Demeski Brenda Sauter Dave Weckerman Anton Fier Studio albums Crazy Rhythms The Good Earth Only Life Time for a Witness Here Before In Between Some Kinda Love: Performing the Music of The Velvet Underground

Authority control databases MusicBrainz release group

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Crazy Rhythms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Rhythms) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Rhythms?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.