Outside Inside

I will start this review by saying that this is the Tubes at their most commercial...but that is not a fault. Yes they were more punk & alternative when they were a "San Francisco" rock band, but this music is so darned good that I defy anyone who appreciates good music to put it down. Each song is well crafted and a real gem...great writing & performances abound along with David Foster's superb production values. Fidelity is nice as well. The import CD restores all of the artwork. You have to get this one if you like really good popular music that is well played & well written.May 2012 update, specifically regarding the Iconoclast CD reissue.Iconoclast's CD brings us the Outside/Inside digitally remastered by Vic Anesini. So in a three way test against the BGO release and the original Capitol CD, sonically, here is the difference. Iconoclast's release is approximately 5db louder than the original Capitol and 3.25db louder than the BGO. To me, this is not a knock against this reissue. On the contrary, it is a testament to the original recording from 1983. I doubt if this recording could sound any better, unless an uncompressed version was to be made available (please...someone or some company do this). The bonus tracks are kinda nice. The original LP version of The Monkey Time was replaced by the single version on both the original Capitol and BGO CDs. You had to go to THE BEST OF THE TUBES CD from 1992 to get the original LP recording. Iconoclast gives you both. Also from the BEST OF CD comes two more bonus tracks (WHEN YOU'RE READY TO COME and KEYBOARD KIDS). There is also a new bonus track, SATELLITE. A missed opportunity was the exclusion of the 12" single versions of TIP OF MY TONGUE (which has completely different vocals) and DRUMS (which is a much longer and more elaborate version).As for the artwork, it is nice that we nearly have the original cover replicated in the insert. The BGO and Capitol CD covers mimic the promotional LP covers issued to radio stations which did not have the hole cut in the center of the jacket for the "iris" record label to show through and had colored letters instead of embossed lettering). I guess we will have to wait for a mini LP release from Japan (if ever) to get those. The original credits are included (as they were on the BGO edition, but not Capitol) but again they are on the inside, not on the rear cover as the original LP (yes, I know, they would most likely be impossible to read) There are also new notes and photos as well...very nice.Bottom line: If you do not have this recording in any form, the Iconoclast edition is the one to get since it has the extra tracks. If you already have the other CDs mentioned here and don't care about the SATELLITE track (I was unimpressed), then a pass may be warranted.

When the predecessor of this album, "The Completion Backwards Principle" was released, I heard two reactions from my friends. From those who had never heard the Tubes before, their comments were along these lines: "Hey - there's a new band called the Tubes and they're great!" From those who had been long time fans of the group, their reactions were negative and they expressed disappointment that the Tubes had "sold out." I was alone in my reaction, for I had been a fan for a long time, and yet felt that they had delivered an excellent, albeit more commercial offering for the public to suck up (and for which the Tubes might actually make some well-deserved money, for a change!)When I heard the cut, "Tip Of My Tongue" on San Francisco's "KSAN The Jive 95," I rushed to the music store to get my copy of "Outside Inside." I was so impressed with "Tip Of My Tongue," that even if it had been the only good tune on the tape, I would have counted it worth the cost.This is why I'm so shocked to read other amazon reviewers writing that the only good tune is the first track, "She's A Beauty." I'm sorry, but that is just a false statement. I know people all have their own tastes, etc., but it's just untrue to say that all of the other tunes are just "filler."My tastes in music have never been what anyone would call mainstream. There are no best of the 70s or best of the 80s or best of the 90s compilations out there that have even ONE tune on them that represents what I like. Therefore, I think I'm qualified to make the following statement: The Tubes DID present a more commercial type of music on "The Completion Backwards Principle," and "Outside Inside." However, just because it is more comercial doesn't mean it's not good. Those two albums are excellent - the songs show talent in all areas: Writing, singing, musicianship and recording technique.Could it be that the reason they titled this album "Outside Inside" is because for YEARS they were thoroughly OUTside the mainstream in their approach to music, and then they put together two albums which were closer to being INside the mainstream? It's a thought. Even if this is true, there's STILL enough of the Tubes' own individualism and signature to keep these two albums very interesting. (You gotta love it when Martha sings, "You better keep that thing on a chain!" on "Monkey Time.")If you are an 80s music fan, these two albums are mandatory to your collection.

At last, the big breakthrough. Chances are if you have a friend or family member who has even a brief passing recollection of this band then you could probably dig around their closet and find a copy of this album. It had THE single of their career, "She's A Beauty", which gets a few spins on the radio even now, but it's miles away from their 1975 debut. Not slagging it, but it does sound considerably more in step with the big hits of the day, as it should since this was the second album they did with uber-producer David Foster who love 'him or hate him, knows how to make a "hit" record. Still, this record sounds completely dated in the best way possible. Also of note, this edition re-instates the original version of "The Monkey Time" with Martha Davis that was left off the first CD release. This one actually has both versions. Hell, even Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire shows up for "Tip Of My Tongue" but some of the weirdness does creep back in, namely with "Wild Women of Wongo" and the driving "Out of the Business" which I think is my favorite cut on the record. This along with "The Completion Backwards Principle" would be great for your 80's Dance party so grab this and hopefully you'll be picking up their earlier stuff before you know it.

As always from The Tubes an eclectic mix without a bad track on the entire album and nearly 30 years later you can clearly see how far ahead of its time this work was. Outside Inside saw them turn away from the huge stage show glam they'd become infamous for and return to what they did best - making great music. If there's a better opening track than 'She's a Beauty' on any album ever recorded I'd like to hear it. Nothing more to say. Buy this album.

Buen álbum trae las letras de las canciones, edición japonesa con muy buen audio, llego en tiempo, la parte trasera con daño

Was soll ich zu dieser Scheibe noch sagen?Für mich persönlich gibt es auf dieser Scheibe keinen einzigen Ausfall. Wem es bei dieser CD nicht wenigstens ab und zu in den Beinen juckt, dem ist wahrscheinlich nicht mehr zu helfen.Durch geschickten Einsatz von Bläsern wird dieser Scheibe eine gehörige Portion Funk eingeblasen. Die Texte selbst sind für die, die des Englischen mächtig sind, nicht ganz so harmlos wie es den Anschein hat, manchmal etwas schlüpfrig, allerdings auch nichts verdammenswertes. Na ja, wer die Truppe und die anderen Alben kennt, der weiß, was ich meine.Meine Tipps: She's a beauty (auf den Text achten), Monkey time, Tip of my tongue und Wild women of Wongo.Das wars... bis auf weiteres

Hat wohl mit den A&M Alben wenig zu tun. Habe mich deswegen dazu hinreisen lassen das Album für teures Geld zu kaufen. Für mich deswegen eine Enttäuschung da ich mehr erwartet hatte.

A damn fine album that deserved a whole lot more attention then on it's original release. "Outside" has really stood the test of time unlike many of its contemporaries. Forget "She's A Beauty" (TOP track though it is) look at the other stuff on offer..."Tip of my Tongue", "Fantastic Delusion". Magic. PURE Magic. Thanks fellas!