10,000 Maniacs - Blind Man's Zoo

10,000 Maniacs - Not Exactly Uplifting Music

Before Natalie Merchant became a solo artist she was the leader of 10,000 Maniacs a band that is still around today albeit with a different vocalist. This is the only Maniacs album that I own, but every time I pull it out I remember what a great little band this was. Merchant has a unique voice that is up front throughout this album, but what really make this special is her lyrics. Lyrically this is one of the best written albums in my entire collection. Often depressing and heavy handed Merchant's lyrical portraits of characters and situations are like a fine painting. Songs like "The Big Parade", "Jubilee", Hatful Hate" "Dust Bowl", and "Eat For Two" are all small masterpieces that come across like mini-short stories. The music on this album is all good with fine accomniemtn to Merchant's vox. This album seems to get very mixed reviews from fans of the band many sighting it as too depressing. To me, that is the album's strength. The hit single from the album was "Trouble Me" which is an upbeat number, but in my opinion the weakest track on the disc and not very representative of what the rest of the album is all about. This disc is a nice little gem from the late 80's and is well worth checking out. May 8, 2008

the most underrated album of the late 80s

this is one of my most favorite albums i wore out the vinyl version of this album when it first came out. This cd is lyricaly powerfull, provacative, and thought provoking i enjoy natalie merchants vocal delivery on each song because you can tell she really is putting her heart into what she is singing. the most disturbing song on this cd is jubilee with its strong racial and religious overtones which are the aparent in the lyrical mosaic. I love this cd and play it often because it causes you to think and this is thinking peoples music. March 27, 2008

Hard to find CD

The product is a hard to find CD by The 10,000 Maniacs. No record store in the area could locate it.
It arrived quickly, in good shape and excellent condition. A great CD that shows the early talent of the group. Worth the listen September 2, 2007

Before Our Time in Eden there was Blind Man's Zoo

Before Our Time in Eden there was Blind Man's Zoo: the album which hints at as well as foreshadows our time in Eden’s Mass appeal. In spite of this, BMZ does not get the admiration it quite honestly deserves? It must be middle child syndrome.

Other than the final track, [titled Jubilee] there's not a song that is less then excellent. Many fans may differ, but this album is lyrically the icing on the cake – I believe Natalie Merchant’s distinctive lyrical abilities are in full force. With reference to her songwriting powers I shall quote Bill Flanagan, [March 1985, Musician]: “Merchant's garret-land lyrics are fairly challenging compared to average rock dumbness. Many of 10,000 Maniacs' "pretty" songs are about war, nuclear weapons, even toxic defoliants. (Merchant has a second cousin with no arms as a result of Agent Orange.) Her writing is full of references to childhood, and enough Roman Catholic iconography to decorate a convent. Add melody and the band's wistful playing, and you get images of lost innocence and questioning adolescents.”

Significantly, certain listeners kvetch regarding the sternness in the political quality or tone – carping that it’s too just too much message. On the other hand, if you enjoy songwriting from a socially conscious perspective then this 1980’s disc is for you: Vietnam, ecology, the need for greater compassion in everyday life, it's all here -- shaken together, pulled apart examined and woven back together in lyrical threads and thunderous, chiming, exhilarating, music. This album can preach. Nevertheless, the rhythm and the lyrics work together in such an emotive tandem that we listeners encounter honest, passionate and personal works of art that allow the alleged preaching to be rather edifying, and encouraging: BMZ captures the band, and Natalie at the Crossroads, before mass popularity and their morphing into 'adult alternative' not so aggressive style, if you're a fan - or, if you've only listened to Our Time in Eden, you should check Blind Man's Zoo. Keep your eyes open along with your hearts and your ears: you will find a treasure at this Zoo. All the songs are first-rate, the final track: to me, drags and the album could've been better with one extra up-tempo selection.

Trouble Me
Please Forgive Us
The Big Parade – lyrics quoted below
The Lion's Share – lyrics quoted below

In summary, the Maniacs were the greatest with Natalie weaving heavy lyrics at this juncture in her career; Natalie’s focus is always personal lyrically on this underestimated album. You should include Blind Man's Zoo in your CD collection, especially if you’re a fan of the classic version of 10,000 Maniacs. The musical backdrop contrasted and complemented the serious lyrics in the most outstanding manner – it was almost surreal to see this band perform live! I had that pleasure more than once they are warm memories now of a hot summer. I love classic 10k Maniacs – if I could, I’d use a DeLorean to travel back, and see this band one more time!!!

---- The Big Parade ----

Detroit to D.C. night train, Capitol, parts East. Lone young man takes a seat. And by the rhythm of the rails, reading all his mother's mail from a city boy in a jungle town postmarked Saigon. He'll go live his mother's dream, join the slowest parade he'll ever see. Her weight of sorrows carried long and carried far. "Take these, Tommy, to The Wall."
Metro line to the Mall site with a tour of Japanese. He's wandering and lost until a vet in worn fatigues takes him down to where they belong. Near a soldier, an ex-Marine with a tattooed dagger and eagle trembling, he bites his lip beside a widow breaking down. She takes her Purple Heart, makes a fist, strikes The Wall. All come to live a dream, to join the slowest parade they'll ever see. Their weight of sorrows carried long and carried far, taken to The Wall.
It's 40 paces to the year that he was slain. His hand's slipping down The Wall for it's slick with rain. How would life have ever been the same if this wall had carved in it one less name? But for Christ's sake, he's been dead over 20 years. He leaves the letters asking, "Who caused my mother's tears, was it Washington or the Viet Cong?" Slow deliberate steps are involved. He takes them away from the black granite wall toward the other monuments so white and clean.
O, Potomac, what you've seen. Abraham had his war too, but an honest war or so it's taught in school.


---- The Lion's Share ----

Can I be unhappy? Look at what I see: a beast in furs and crowned in luxury. He's a wealthy man in the poorest land, a self-appointed king, and there's no complaining while he's reigning. The lambs are bare of fleece and cold; the lion has stolen that, I'm told. There must be some creature mighty as you are. The lambs go hungry (not fair), the biggest portion is the lion's share. There must be some creature mighty as you are. Can I be unhappy? Listen and agree, no words can shame him or tame him. The lambs are bare of fleece and cold; the lion has stolen that, I'm told. There must be some creature mighty as you are. The lambs go hungry (not fair); the biggest portion is the lion's share. There must be some creature mighty as you are, as you are. Razor claws in velvet paws, you dunce in your guarded home, 'til a stronger beast will call on you and pounce upon your throne. Do we pay? Dearly, for the lion takes so greedily and he knows that what he's taken, it is ours.

That's how the wealth's divided among the lambs and king of the beasts, it is so one-sided. Until the lamb is king of the beasts we live so one-sided.
May 23, 2007

Some Gems But a Bit Spotty -- 3 1/2 Stars

This is a transitional record for the Maniacs, coming off the tremendous success of In My Tribe.

It produced two certifiable gems, "Eat for Two," and "Trouble Me," and is worth picking up for these two alone. Merchant's confidence is growing, and her songwriting is picking up depth and dimension.

There are, however, a few clunkers. While I have no problem with the political statements on a few tracks, I do find the lyrics a bit obvious and the arrangements uninspiring. In particular, the drum work is derivative and there are few moments where it appears the guitar is going for an Edge-type soundscape, which to me doesn't fit in with the other elements of the Maniacs style.

I prefer the more upbeat tracks, those where Merchant is stretching out and finding her voice. You can here it developing here, in bits and pieces, and it's an album you'll enjoy if you find that journey intriguing. August 7, 2006

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