The Fixx : Ranking The Studio Albums !!! Please give this superb band a listen, You like Rush now The Fixx are similar in their lyrical content about social issues, A more accessible and much less bombastic band than Rush give them a listen your’ll be surprised how good The Fixx really are 👍😀
Kings is still my fave Ants album. Bought everything he and they did release. I was 13 when I first heard them, the first time they were on TOTP doing Dog Eat Dog, next day at school they where the buzz. My first gig was the Prince Charming Review when I was 14. A few years later I found bootleg tapes which included pre Dirk stuff and I was blown away. The Decca session is still up there for me as some of his best stuff.
I was in my early twenties when these albums were released. I was into AC/DC, Rush and the bands emerging from the NWOBHM. I completely ignored Adam and the Ants at the time and they have been pretty much a mystery since, so I found this overview very interesting and informative.
The B-sides of The Ants singles were as good - occasionally better - than the A-sides. The 'B-Side Babies' album should have been included in your list. However, it does not include some of those crucial Do-It Label b-tunes. Tracks like the incredible 'Lady', 'Whip In My Valise', 'Plastic Surgery' (EG Records), the Kings line up for the reworked 'Kick' and 'Press Darlings' need a mention, as does 'Beat My Guest' (B-side of 'Stand and Deliver'). I loathed the 'Prince Charming' album when it was released, because it was too much of a departure from what came before, and even though I do have a guilty pleasure in still listening to the title track (it's literally bonkers, and how it stayed at Number One for 3 or 4 weeks now seems incredible), I remember calling 'Ant Rap' a "piece of shit" at the time (and remember that its choice of release was predicated upon a somewhat defiant Adam Ant, thumbing his nose at his audience: "if they buy this, they'll buy anything"). I flip between loving 'Dirk' more than 'Kings', but ultimately 'Kings' was the more commercial piece of work. All that said, I urge people to check out those B-sides, you will not be disappointed.
Kings of the Wild Frontier represents the crossover between punk and the New Romantics despite Stuart's denial. Clint Eastwood was also celebrated by Visage with their track Malpaso Man. Adam & the Ants drummer Chris Hughes went on to produce Songs from the Big Chair by Tears for Fears.
If you had never seen any of his performances, I don't think you'd be saying that. His fashion crossed over with the new romantics but I can't think of a single Ants song where your argument stands up. He started off doing punk/post-punk then moved into his own sound. New romantics don't sing about the Wild West or sexy camp sexy sex songs. I love the New Romantic era but it was always camp yet took itself so serious. Fair point on the Visage track but one song is not going to sell it.
Seen him live now since 2013 8 times, going to see him again 2024 can't wait amazing artist,also ive got a collection of about 60 0r 70 items, books, cds, albums singles, box set, and lots more i enjoy most of his songs past and present.
My ranking: 3) Dirk Wears White Sox 2) Kings Of The Wild Frontier 1) Prince Charming (The first I had - I love how over-the-top it is) It's strange that I like them in the reverse order they were released. That's rare for me. I like them all, though.
What a pleasant surprise. I had 'Kings...' and saw the Prince Charming Review in Ipswich - I mostly remember the ship on stage. I feel like going back to listen to these.
Yes I got Prince Charming for Christmas 81 too. I was 9 and it was the first Album I ever asked for. I liked Ant Rap mainly because the Ant's got to speak and I was more interested in them than Adam. I still have the record and bought Adam's solo albums up to Vive Le Rock and still have this along with Friend or Foe and Strip. Actually ranking his solo albums would be a welcome vlog.
i was 9 when my stepmum bought me Kings of the Wild Frontier in 1980. For some reason it was a canadian copy and had "(You're So) Physical" on it which made the album a lot better. Gone now. Wish I still had it!
Probably the same as the US release, which also had a slightly differing track list. Mine also came with a 45 of "Stand and Deliver/Beat My Guest". I still have both, but the sleeve for the 45 has seen better days.
Some online guy with an CZcams channel called Classic Album Review, completely dissing and ripping to shreds Adam's, ANT RAP song from 1981.. AM NOT HAVING THAT !!!. Ant Rap was super cool, Adam Ant as King Arthur and all the ANTS standing next to each other on the chorus with Gary Tibbs wearing his Blue shirt this time instead of the usual Red... Adam Ant giving it some Bruce Lee action, American Football flip and Marco doing Liberace... EXCALUBA Sword in the Stone, lady in the water !!, what was not to like ??? plus its the only song were Adam Ant actually Raps.. which is unique... and there were smiles all round when it was shown to all us kids with our little faces glued to the TISWAS screen, watching it on a Saturday morning for the very first time...
'Ant Rap' is totally unique; it's like nothing before it or since. The single version is much better than the album version. I'm surprised Terry Lee doesn't like it, as there's a lot of drumming/percussion on there. I think it's great, as is 'Prince Charming'.
How about a Bowwowwow companion vid? Lyrically, they could be surprisingly on point with their message of "abandon cities/civilization and return to nature/the jungle". Very much au currant and ripe for rediscovery. And the music was often phenomenal.
🎶da diddley qua qua•da diddley qua qua• da diddley qua qua• da diddley qua qua• da diddley qua qua• da diddley qua qua•da diddley qua qua• da diddley qua qua•da diddley qua qua•da diddley qua qua 🎶
I was twelve when "Kings“ came out (or came to our village in North-Iceland). At that time music was of two kinds. „Girl music“, played at discos, and „Boy music“ played on your cassette recorder at home, and friends' homes. Adam didn't quite fit in either. Sure, the hits were played at discos, but this was also obviously creative - unique even - and interesting as music. I ended up ignoring it, prefering my black-and-white view on things, and stuck with listening to punk (all Icelandic music the world cares about has its roots in the creative wave of the beginning of the 80s) as well as old hard rock and metal. Thank you for this reminder - Adam and the Ants will finally get some serious attention.
Thanks for this, just the 3 albums allows you to expand on your analysis of each. More albums mean you have to be more concise. Speaking of more albums, have you done or considered ranking the Stranglers albums?
Definitely David Bowie influence for sure. Kings of the Wild Frontier is a great album. Every song on there is good. He should have been a bigger hit in the US. He could have been like Prince or Michael Jackson. I think he had it but it sounds like decisions were made that kept him from being that level mentioned. That being said his career is nothing to scoff at. He should have been bigger in the US. Every song on that album was gold. Just like MJ’s Thriller album.
AA definitely brought with his thing humor and self deprecating type of thing. The Native American theme was beautifully done too. Kings appeared to us in Western" Ny out of nowhere was refreshingly diff contrasting with the more down hard core street heroin bull****.Also alotta fun.
Thank you a very enjoyable review ,depending on one's mood,the ranking could be back to front ,from my perspective Stuart godard is reliably the most creative music artist that I have had the pleasure to enjoy ...as a foot note I saw him on tour in Manchester 2022 (also witnessed the Prince charming review)...outstanding
Pretty sure ants invasion was at least partly inspired by 50s monster movie Them with the guitar noise at end sounding like the noise the giant ants make
My early teen years. Loved them! 'Ants Invasion' is a clever pop reworking of the 'Black Sabbath' riff meets Alice Cooper(the break in that song is pure Ezrin/Cooper style) sci-fi B-movie camp. 'Dog eat Dog' and 'Kings of the wild frontier' are superb. 'Scorpios' is one of the best album openers. Good Times!
I love the King's of the wild frontier so much I even recently had the ant warrior symbol as a tattoo but outside this album is just like some of his songs but kings of the wild frontier will always be one of my favourite albums ever , nothing quite like it
Always thought at least this style of pop could be interesting, still part of the many branches of punk for me though. Least the charts were a myriad of styles back then.
Prince Charming has very little actual music on it. I got it for Christmas when I was a kid, but other than the singles, the rest of the record was dull and sounded like the band was bored, or just filling a contractual obligation. DWWS is a little flabby in flaces, but it has more in common with the angular sounds of Bauhaus and Gang of Four than the foppish band that bothered the charts dressed as pirates the following year. KOTWF is the only album that works as a whole musically, other than the silliness of Antmusic. In hindsight, Antmusic heralded the way that the band was going with the next record, but Kings..had enough good songs on it that we didn't notice that they had snuck a novelty song in there.
i hated the look of the prince charming album but i like the album itself, he should have stuck with the white stripe for a little longer, the album version of stand and deliver is better than the single, but "kings" will always remain king of his albums, dirk a close second, i liked bits of fiend or foe, and vive le rock. you should get the deluxe box set of Kings its brilliANT!
Probably about right. But I’d personally put Dirk & Kings on a par. Prince Charming was a big big mistake: only & Stand & Deliver & Picasso are worthy of repeat listens. And I don’t agree that Mohawk could have graced the Kings album comfortably. Its a terrible song & would have ru8 Ed the flow of Kings.
Barry an unusual choice! I only have 3 Adam Ant albums Dirk wears white sox so of the Wild frontier and Frend or foe! I think aiming at a teenage audience sacrificing the Rock audience put enormous pressure as a rock act you have loyal fans! As a pop artist with screaming girls you go out of fashion very quickly which happened to Adam as his later work didn't sell!!
Yup, I do not agree with anything he said... it seem like he was just purposely trying to upset the ANTFAN BASE, with complete nonsense. He obviously does not really listen to much Adam Ant or like him, he sure does not get him... he is not the right person to be talking about ADAM AND THE ANTS. Nah mate !,,, Bad Show, bad show indeed... DISLIKE !
Sort of stands out clearly, this man has something personal against Adam Ant ??? he must of gotten refused an interview or something after an Adam Ant concert and so now he using his own channel to rip apart all of Adam Ant's past works. Did your mom never teach you, IF YOU HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY, DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL !!. Man needs to crawl back under his damn rock... 🙄
I can’t stand Adam Ant but kudos for covering a range of genres. I just think you will find most of your audience are classic rock and prog fans with a sprinkling of metalheads. Few of them will be major fans of this numpty.
BUTTON PUSHER !!!... he is trying to upset some ADAM AND THE ANTS fans to get a reaction out of them. He is totally brutal on his description of Mr Ant's works and really tries to provoke some anger out of people watching. Whoever you are in the video, you do realize your alone in your opinions right ? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
The Fixx : Ranking The Studio Albums !!! Please give this superb band a listen, You like Rush now The Fixx are similar in their lyrical content about social issues, A more accessible and much less bombastic band than Rush give them a listen your’ll be surprised how good The Fixx really are 👍😀
Kings is still my fave Ants album. Bought everything he and they did release. I was 13 when I first heard them, the first time they were on TOTP doing Dog Eat Dog, next day at school they where the buzz.
My first gig was the Prince Charming Review when I was 14.
A few years later I found bootleg tapes which included pre Dirk stuff and I was blown away. The Decca session is still up there for me as some of his best stuff.
I was in my early twenties when these albums were released. I was into AC/DC, Rush and the bands emerging from the NWOBHM. I completely ignored Adam and the Ants at the time and they have been pretty much a mystery since, so I found this overview very interesting and informative.
Dirk Wears White Sox remains a favourite album today.
Agreed. As good as Kings is, Dirk has amazing guitars and drums and songs and retained a great post punk sound
The B-sides of The Ants singles were as good - occasionally better - than the A-sides. The 'B-Side Babies' album should have been included in your list. However, it does not include some of those crucial Do-It Label b-tunes. Tracks like the incredible 'Lady', 'Whip In My Valise', 'Plastic Surgery' (EG Records), the Kings line up for the reworked 'Kick' and 'Press Darlings' need a mention, as does 'Beat My Guest' (B-side of 'Stand and Deliver'). I loathed the 'Prince Charming' album when it was released, because it was too much of a departure from what came before, and even though I do have a guilty pleasure in still listening to the title track (it's literally bonkers, and how it stayed at Number One for 3 or 4 weeks now seems incredible), I remember calling 'Ant Rap' a "piece of shit" at the time (and remember that its choice of release was predicated upon a somewhat defiant Adam Ant, thumbing his nose at his audience: "if they buy this, they'll buy anything"). I flip between loving 'Dirk' more than 'Kings', but ultimately 'Kings' was the more commercial piece of work. All that said, I urge people to check out those B-sides, you will not be disappointed.
Kings of the Wild Frontier represents the crossover between punk and the New Romantics despite Stuart's denial. Clint Eastwood was also celebrated by Visage with their track Malpaso Man. Adam & the Ants drummer Chris Hughes went on to produce Songs from the Big Chair by Tears for Fears.
If you had never seen any of his performances, I don't think you'd be saying that. His fashion crossed over with the new romantics but I can't think of a single Ants song where your argument stands up. He started off doing punk/post-punk then moved into his own sound. New romantics don't sing about the Wild West or sexy camp sexy sex songs. I love the New Romantic era but it was always camp yet took itself so serious.
Fair point on the Visage track but one song is not going to sell it.
I feel so proud,so proud of you I feel innocence shining through
Seen him live now since 2013 8 times, going to see him again 2024 can't wait amazing artist,also ive got a collection of about 60 0r 70 items, books, cds, albums singles, box set, and lots more i enjoy most of his songs past and present.
Excellent
@@classicalbum ok thanks.
Glad to see there's another fan of "Feed Me to the Lions"!
Hey ho, hey ho 😎
My ranking:
3) Dirk Wears White Sox
2) Kings Of The Wild Frontier
1) Prince Charming (The first I had - I love how over-the-top it is)
It's strange that I like them in the reverse order they were released. That's rare for me. I like them all, though.
You don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do
Your subtle innuendos follow
There must be somethin' inside 😂😂😂
Adam Ant
What a pleasant surprise. I had 'Kings...' and saw the Prince Charming Review in Ipswich - I mostly remember the ship on stage. I feel like going back to listen to these.
Yes I got Prince Charming for Christmas 81 too. I was 9 and it was the first Album I ever asked for. I liked Ant Rap mainly because the Ant's got to speak and I was more interested in them than Adam. I still have the record and bought Adam's solo albums up to Vive Le Rock and still have this along with Friend or Foe and Strip. Actually ranking his solo albums would be a welcome vlog.
Keep up the good work sir, always a pleasure to listen to your analysis and reviews
Much appreciated!
i was 9 when my stepmum bought me Kings of the Wild Frontier in 1980. For some reason it was a canadian copy and had "(You're So) Physical" on it which made the album a lot better. Gone now. Wish I still had it!
Probably the same as the US release, which also had a slightly differing track list. Mine also came with a 45 of "Stand and Deliver/Beat My Guest". I still have both, but the sleeve for the 45 has seen better days.
Loved the 'Kings of the Wild Frontier' album. Have to agree, 'Killer...' is one of the best tracks.
Some online guy with an CZcams channel called Classic Album Review, completely dissing and ripping to shreds Adam's, ANT RAP song from 1981.. AM NOT HAVING THAT !!!. Ant Rap was super cool, Adam Ant as King Arthur and all the ANTS standing next to each other on the chorus with Gary Tibbs wearing his Blue shirt this time instead of the usual Red... Adam Ant giving it some Bruce Lee action, American Football flip and Marco doing Liberace... EXCALUBA Sword in the Stone, lady in the water !!, what was not to like ??? plus its the only song were Adam Ant actually Raps.. which is unique... and there were smiles all round when it was shown to all us kids with our little faces glued to the TISWAS screen, watching it on a Saturday morning for the very first time...
'Ant Rap' is totally unique; it's like nothing before it or since. The single version is much better than the album version. I'm surprised Terry Lee doesn't like it, as there's a lot of drumming/percussion on there. I think it's great, as is 'Prince Charming'.
How about a Bowwowwow companion vid? Lyrically, they could be surprisingly on point with their message of "abandon cities/civilization and return to nature/the jungle". Very much au currant and ripe for rediscovery. And the music was often phenomenal.
🎶da diddley qua qua•da diddley qua qua• da diddley qua qua• da diddley qua qua• da diddley qua qua• da diddley qua qua•da diddley qua qua• da diddley qua qua•da diddley qua qua•da diddley qua qua 🎶
I was twelve when "Kings“ came out (or came to our village in North-Iceland). At that time music was of two kinds. „Girl music“, played at discos, and „Boy music“ played on your cassette recorder at home, and friends' homes. Adam didn't quite fit in either. Sure, the hits were played at discos, but this was also obviously creative - unique even - and interesting as music. I ended up ignoring it, prefering my black-and-white view on things, and stuck with listening to punk (all Icelandic music the world cares about has its roots in the creative wave of the beginning of the 80s) as well as old hard rock and metal. Thank you for this reminder - Adam and the Ants will finally get some serious attention.
Thanks for this, just the 3 albums allows you to expand on your analysis of each. More albums mean you have to be more concise.
Speaking of more albums, have you done or considered ranking the Stranglers albums?
I should do
Definitely David Bowie influence for sure. Kings of the Wild Frontier is a great album. Every song on there is good. He should have been a bigger hit in the US. He could have been like Prince or Michael Jackson. I think he had it but it sounds like decisions were made that kept him from being that level mentioned. That being said his career is nothing to scoff at. He should have been bigger in the US. Every song on that album was gold. Just like MJ’s Thriller album.
for some reason all of my posts from yesterday...it may be the avi.
1. Kings of the Wild Frontier
2. Prince Charming
3. Dirk Wears White Sox
Dirk Wears White Sox broke the mould and remains a cult classic. There's a lot of interesting stuff on that, and the pre-Sox era stuff, even rarer.
AA definitely brought with his thing humor and self deprecating type of thing. The Native American theme was beautifully done too. Kings appeared to us in Western" Ny out of nowhere was refreshingly diff contrasting with the more down hard core street heroin bull****.Also alotta fun.
Barry, I'm from New Zealand so you could do Split Enz for a worst to best of albums.
Thank you a very enjoyable review ,depending on one's mood,the ranking could be back to front ,from my perspective Stuart godard is reliably the most creative music artist that I have had the pleasure to enjoy ...as a foot note I saw him on tour in Manchester 2022 (also witnessed the Prince charming review)...outstanding
Pretty sure ants invasion was at least partly inspired by 50s monster movie Them with the guitar noise at end sounding like the noise the giant ants make
Im impressed with your musical tastes how about a review of sparks
My early teen years. Loved them! 'Ants Invasion' is a clever pop reworking of the 'Black Sabbath' riff meets Alice Cooper(the break in that song is pure Ezrin/Cooper style) sci-fi B-movie camp. 'Dog eat Dog' and 'Kings of the wild frontier' are superb. 'Scorpios' is one of the best album openers. Good Times!
I love the King's of the wild frontier so much I even recently had the ant warrior symbol as a tattoo but outside this album is just like some of his songs but kings of the wild frontier will always be one of my favourite albums ever , nothing quite like it
Prince Charming is one of the coolest intros ever. Airrrrr haaaah
Yes I'm adamant 'bout Adam Ant. Madam I'm Adam backwards is madA m'I madaM...
Always thought at least this style of pop could be interesting, still part of the many branches of punk for me though. Least the charts were a myriad of styles back then.
Prince Charming has very little actual music on it. I got it for Christmas when I was a kid, but other than the singles, the rest of the record was dull and sounded like the band was bored, or just filling a contractual obligation. DWWS is a little flabby in flaces, but it has more in common with the angular sounds of Bauhaus and Gang of Four than the foppish band that bothered the charts dressed as pirates the following year. KOTWF is the only album that works as a whole musically, other than the silliness of Antmusic. In hindsight, Antmusic heralded the way that the band was going with the next record, but Kings..had enough good songs on it that we didn't notice that they had snuck a novelty song in there.
i hated the look of the prince charming album but i like the album itself, he should have stuck with the white stripe for a little longer, the album version of stand and deliver is better than the single, but "kings" will always remain king of his albums, dirk a close second, i liked bits of fiend or foe, and vive le rock. you should get the deluxe box set of Kings its brilliANT!
This should be easy to rank worst = all of them
'Ridicule is nothing to be scared of....'
@@classicalbum don't you ever
lower yourself
forgetting all your standards
I would put Dirk Wears White Sox in first place, but I'm a bit weird.
Probably about right. But I’d personally put Dirk & Kings on a par.
Prince Charming was a big big mistake: only
& Stand & Deliver & Picasso are worthy of repeat listens.
And I don’t agree that Mohawk could have graced the Kings album comfortably. Its a terrible song & would have ru8 Ed the flow of Kings.
Since you're going this route why not rank New Orders' albums in the future?
Watch me daddio.
Barry an unusual choice! I only have 3 Adam Ant albums Dirk wears white sox so of the Wild frontier and Frend or foe! I think aiming at a teenage audience sacrificing the Rock audience put enormous pressure as a rock act you have loyal fans! As a pop artist with screaming girls you go out of fashion very quickly which happened to Adam as his later work didn't sell!!
I like Ant Rap
Annabella Lwin
Dirk..lite years ahead
Kings was adams peak
Do like the Marillion t shirt.
Yup, I do not agree with anything he said... it seem like he was just purposely trying to upset the ANTFAN BASE, with complete nonsense. He obviously does not really listen to much Adam Ant or like him, he sure does not get him... he is not the right person to be talking about ADAM AND THE ANTS. Nah mate !,,, Bad Show, bad show indeed... DISLIKE !
3:14?
A Dirk flash
Sort of stands out clearly, this man has something personal against Adam Ant ??? he must of gotten refused an interview or something after an Adam Ant concert and so now he using his own channel to rip apart all of Adam Ant's past works. Did your mom never teach you, IF YOU HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY, DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL !!. Man needs to crawl back under his damn rock... 🙄
I can’t stand Adam Ant but kudos for covering a range of genres. I just think you will find most of your audience are classic rock and prog fans with a sprinkling of metalheads. Few of them will be major fans of this numpty.
Hey c'mon, Physical (you're so) was industrial metal enough for Trent Reznor to cover. Gotta be worth some consideration.
If you can't say anything positive about Adam don't say anything at all 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡 an mad obsessed Adam ant fan
Who's said anything bad about him?
Barry you gotta be joking mate. Adam and the ants were bloody awful.
Loved them when I was a nipper
Did young Barry drink Pimms and dance around to a few of their ‘numbers’?
Their first album is a great post punk LP - give it a try (very different from his pop stuff).
I like Ant rap I think it's way ahead of it's time
BUTTON PUSHER !!!... he is trying to upset some ADAM AND THE ANTS fans to get a reaction out of them. He is totally brutal on his description of Mr Ant's works and really tries to provoke some anger out of people watching. Whoever you are in the video, you do realize your alone in your opinions right ? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣