I own a couple of the early vinyl records that 10,000 Maniacs self-released. The tracks on this CD come from those early records. The tracks on this CD sound great and don't differ noticeably from the original vinyl mixes. This original line-up of the band, including both Natalie Merchant and John Lombardo, would only release "The Wishing Chair" LP/CD after these recordings before John left the group.
(For those of you who are hardcore fans of the band, I think it's interesting to note that the mix, or recording, included on this CD of "National Education Week" differs significantly from the mix the band released on vinyl as a B-side to "My Mother The War". About one third of the music and vocals are missing, and a keyboard part has been added to the beginning of the song.)
June 4, 2007 |  | Ironically, this is the only 10K I can still listen to... |  |
Its full of raw energy and Merchant's voice is at its independent best. Later and more popular Maniacs are too Merchant-focused and way too polished. I still love this CD. I remember getting this CD when it came out thinking it was a "new release" after liking In My Tribe. Initially, I was disappointed and confused but this CD really grows on you and has the lasting effect. I have not listened to In My Tribe and later Maniacs in over 10 yrs at the least. I think creatively they peaked with the EPs that make up this CD. Commercially and production wise they peaked with In My Tribe.
February 18, 2007 | | Amazing and unique early work by an equally amazing and unique band | |
While many are quick to dismiss the Maniacs' older material, Hope Chest provides a document of history. Never again would the Maniacs play with this youthful exuberance again. Sure, the writing isn't fantastic and there are traces of unprofessionalism here and there... But this music is simply amazing. I encourage you to open up your ears (as the title of a Maniacs bootleg would say) and give this record a chance. After loving Our Time In Eden to death when I first purchased it (my first 10,000 Maniacs record), I travelled backwards in the Maniacs' catalogue (excluding MTV Unplugged, which I bought after The Wishing Chair) to find that while their form was probably the best around the time of Blind Man's Zoo, the music here simply does not sound tired or worn out, unlike the majority of MTV Unplugged. This record has some amazing songs, including "Planned Obsolescence," "Katrina's Fair," the awesome "Poor de Chirico," and the quirky but oddly beautiful (much like Ms. Merchant herself, especially back then) "Orange." Also worth noting is John Lombardo's vocal performance on the haunting "Anthem for Doomed Youth." One cannot call oneself a Maniacs fan without first delving into their sprightly and gorgeous past.
October 23, 2005 | | A nice collection for the hard core fan | |
You really have to be a true fan to enjoy all this. It shows the great song writing ideas that were going on in the early years, but also displays a lot of inexperience and not the greatest recording quality.
October 24, 2004| | | Early Maniacs at their best | |
This album is great, but admiteddly, it takes an acquired taste to appreciate it. If you are a fan of 10,000 Maniacs or of Natalie Merchant, this album has a lot of good tracks that show off their early prowess as a band. A lot of the songs sound light with little production, but it serves to focus on the groups ability to sound great by themselves. Natalie's early vocals are clearly not as strong as her later work, but she does sound fresh, young, and able to belt it out.
June 16, 2003More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(21 reviews)