Republica - Speed Ballads

The hit poppy British alternative rock trio's second album, not being released in the U.S. until 1999! 10 tracks,including the single 'From Rush Hour With Love'. A 1998 Deconstruction release. Album Description

Bettering The Debut

If you enjoyed Republica's 1996 debut but forgot about them after they failed to get Stateside attention, this album is worth your time. Probably your $$$, too.
The debut was brash and fun and sped by. For a techno-leaning band, they left a lot of space in those songs. 'Speed Ballads' is the natural progression into late-90s alterna-pop. The beats are still fast and hard but the melodies are sharper and better executed and any empty space is filled with studio tricks and ear candy.
The biggest progression, evident on the first listen, is in the songwriting. Saffron's melodies twist and turn in often unexpected ways. The songs sound different from one another. The influences (David Bowie, Blur, Blondie, Pulp and The Jam) are easily discernible but incorporated in interesting ways.
Just on a few spins, I can recommend this as one of the better albums of the late '90s. September 2, 2008

Not quite as good as their first, but still a killer album

You can't really say that Republica is the best band you've never heard, because "Ready To Go" is one of those songs that everyone knows but can't name the performer. Rather, Republica is possibly the best band that the American mainstream flirted with but backed away from.

Their first album was wall-to-wall bombast, sort of a cross between Back to the Heavyweight and Blondie. This one slows down the tempo and slightly de-technofies the sound, but keeps every bit of crunchy huge-ness from the debut. At first blush, it doesn't even sound like the same band; their rock leanings come through more clearly than before. This isn't necessarily a good or bad thing. It kind of sounds like Garbage turned up to eleven like the Spinal Tap amps.

Saffron's lyrics are interesting if not particularly insightful. A strong theme in her songs is the middle class-dweller who wants to be more, the desk worker who hits the club on the weekend and pretends to be a heavy hitter. Her singing isn't going to win any Grammys, but the emotion and power she puts into her voice captivates.

The drums and guitar work are stellar; play this on as good a stereo as you can find. This'll be in heavy rotation in my car once the upper midwest winter is vanquished and my sunroof and windows open. February 16, 2003

Easily Beyond 4 Stars

While not perfect, this is one mighty exciting album. "Faded Man" is a great ballad. Rather than Sting and Britney Spears ushering in the new millennium, it would have been great to see Republica's "Millennium" catching the world by storm on New Years Eve. Unfortunately the band broke up and their US distribution rights went to hell. The electronic production is really fantastic on this, with maybe only Econoline Crush's HDCD The Devil You Know and Garbage's self title edging it out as more complicated. The mastering is on the bright side, but tends to be revealing in a good way. June 11, 2002

Speedy And Alive

Yes, like the title above says, the music is alive, and a lot more rock than their last masterpiece.
SpeedBallads is in a way, almost as good as the Band Garbage, if not equal. There is one song that stands out among the others on the cd. It is Luxury Cage. I think this song is the best song of all, and it seemed to draw me into the album since playing SpeedBallads.

The former group's lead singer has this stunning voice, rich with the British accent and all. I am disappointed in the fact that the band split, but it doesn't stop me from liking their great music. The front cover of the cd is nice, but what is the singer's name? I can't find her name anywhere! Isn't that funny?
Both albums don't state the band members' full names.

SpeedBallads is my new toy for a while, like all great music cds.
I have played Luxury cage so many times, that I think the neighbors are fed up of it, that's how good the song is!
I never knew any song which had the lyrics "future you, future me" in it.

When I first heard Republica, I thought of the band as rebellious and cheap, but now I think of the material they made on their cds satisfyingly entertaining. I strongly urge you to buy SpeedBallads. I don't think you will be disappointed. Hope my review helped. May 7, 2002

The best band you've never heard...

Ok, can anyone name another Republica song that isn't "Ready To Go"? Didn't think so and it's a damn shame. Therefore I DEMAND you pick up this album and play it religiously because it's just THAT GOOD. lead singer Saffron's voice bends and twists every word in every song. The music is electric, pulsating, and lots of guitar happy fun. The lyrics are stellar. STELLAR! Honestly, it baffles my mind that no one on this side of the pond really caught on to them. Songs to spin are "Try Everything", a suprisingly well done ballad, "Pretty Girl Hate" about petty jealousy, "From Rush Hour With Love" and "Faster, Faster" about te urges to slow down... Seriously, this is one of the best cd's by one of the best bands you've never heard. Pick it up along with their debut self titles disc and get enlightened. December 24, 2001

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